WRITING / Punctuation

 Academic Punctuation

Punctuation /pʌŋk.tʃuˈeɪ.ʃən/ is used to create sense, clarity and stress in sentences. You use punctuation marks to structure and organise your writing.

Punctuation Dictionary Definitions

The practice or system of using certain conventional marks or characters in writing or printing in order to separate elements and make the meaning clear, as in ending a sentence or separating clauses (Dictionary.com, 2023).

The act or practice of inserting standardized marks or signs in written matter to clarify the meaning and separate structural units (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2023).

The most common punctuation marks in English are: capital letters, full stops, question marks, commas, colons, semi-colons, exclamation marks and quotation marks (Cambridge Dictionary, 2023).

Key Academic Punctuation Symbols 

Most common punctuation symbols used in academic writing.

academic punctuation symbols

A basic introduction to punctuation video

A short video on  punctuation and some practice exercises

Video Worksheet: click here

Punctuation Download

 

 Punctuation [updated 2023]

This lesson helps improve students’ awareness of punctuationIt includes a punctuation review section, lots of guided practice and freer paragraph writing practice (see worksheet example) Time: 60mins.  Level ***** [B1/B2/C1]  TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

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Punctuation Questions

 

  1. What teacher feedback have you already received on your punctuation?

  2. Why is it so important to punctuate your writing accurately?

  3. How will you be assessed on your punctuation on the course you are currently on?

Punctuation Exercise 1

Task: Punctuate the following sentences.

  1. vegware is an innovative companywhich produces compostable foodservice packaging from plants

  2. ibm is one ofthe worlds most ethical companies

 

  1. Vegware is an innovative company which produces compostable foodservice packaging from plants.

  2. IBM is one of the world’s most ethical companies.

Punctuation Exercise 2

  • Task: Error correct these sentences.

  1. although, 2020 was an economically challenging year uk house prices were at a record high?

  2.  people around the world need clean water to stay safe and healthy Wateraid 2021 

 

  1. Although 2020 was an economically challenging year, UK house prices were at a record high

  2. “People around the world need clean water to stay safe and healthy (Wateraid, 2021).

Punctuation Exercise 3: a paragraph

  • Task: Rewrite the paragraph with the correct punctuation.

driven by consumer demand there has been a rise in the number of ethical businesses one company that prides itself on its ethical values is lush a well-known cosmetics manufacturer and retailer based in the uk their four main areas of ethics are within the products themselves the packaging the staff conditions and the philanthropic donations the products….

Driven by consumer demand, there has been a rise in the number of ethical businesses. One company that prides itself on its ethical values is Lush, a well-known cosmetics manufacturer and retailer based in the UK. Their four main areas of ethics are within the products themselves, the packaging, the staff conditions and the philanthropic donations. The products are ….

 

Punctuation Exercise 4: academic references

  • Task: punctuate these references.

1. robinson j 2007 social variation across the ukavailable at https://www.bl.uk/british-accents-and-dialects/articles/social-variation… accessed 13november 2023
X
2. rowland t a 2015 feminism from the perspective of catholicism the journal of secular ethics 5 1 p23 available at http://researchonline.nd.edu.au/solidarity/vol5/iss1/1 accessed 12 november 2023
1. Robinson, J. (2007) Social variation across the UK. Available at: https://www.bl.uk/british-accents-and-dialects/articles/social-variation… (Accessed: 13 November 2023).
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2. Rowland T, A. (2015) ‘Feminism from the perspective of Catholicism’, The Journal of Secular Ethics 5(1),  p23. Available at: http://researchonline.nd.edu.au/solidarity/vol5/iss1/1 (Accessed:12 November 2023).

 

For a detailed worksheet and more exercises – buy the download below.

Punctuation Download

Lots of exercise and practice here:

 Punctuation [updated 2023]

This lesson helps improve students’ awareness of punctuationIt includes a punctuation review section, lots of guided practice and freer paragraph writing practice. (see worksheet example) Time: 60mins.  Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

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