Punctuation

=Punctuation= In general, rules guiding standard English writing can carry over into journalist writing.


 * 1) Periods are optional in time designations; this should be consistent.
 * 2) Always place periods inside quotation marks.
 * 3) Correct: //Looking to the sky, Erin exclaimed, "Rain is on its way."//
 * 4) Incorrect: //Looking to the sky, Erin exclaimed, "Rain is on its way".//
 * 5) For money amounts less than one dollar, spell out the word "cents." Use a dollar sign for amounts of a dollar or greater.
 * 6) Correct: //50 cents//
 * 7) Incorrect: //$0.50//
 * 8) Periods should separate dollars from cents.
 * 9) When a dollar amount is even, do not include a zero or decimal points.
 * 10) Correct: //$2//
 * 11) Incorrect: //$2.00//
 * 12) Use a comma to separate independent clauses
 * 13) //Mr. Rodoff introduced the championship football team onto the field, and the audience rose in applause.//
 * 14) Use a comma to separate a dependent clause that begins a sentence
 * 15) //When the announcer introduced the team to the field, the audience rose in applause.//
 * 16) Use a comma to incorporate a direct quotation
 * 17) //The quarterback explained that, "the opposing team had a strong defense, but a weak offensive strategy, allowing us to gain the upper hand."//
 * 18) Using commas to separate numerals at every third digit
 * 19) //1,234,567,890//
 * 20) Use a comma to separate words in a series. Before the last word, include the word //and//.
 * 21) Correct: //The prizes awarded at Post Prom included a flat screen television, an Avon gift basket, and a desktop computer set.//
 * 22) Incorrect: //The prizes awarded at Post Prom included a flat screen television, an Avon gift basket and a desktop computer.//
 * 23) Use semicolons sparingly in journalistic writing.
 * 24) Use a semicolon to separate clauses of a compound sentence connected by words including //however, otherwise,// or //therefore.//
 * 25) //He could have completed his homework; however, he thought that going out with friends would be a better use of his time.//
 * 26) use a semicolon to separate independent, but related, clauses without a conjunction //(and, so, but)//
 * 27) //The School Board voted for the proposal; the community members at the meeting wanted the proposal to be voted down.//
 * 28) Semicolons always go outside quotation marks
 * 29) //The classroom assistant stated that, "the students seemed to enjoy the novel"; a poll of the students showed contrary results.//
 * 30) Use a colon to show clock time
 * 31) //7:30//
 * 32) So not use a colon for clock times on the hour (see time designations)
 * 33) Use a colon before a list of items, especially after expressions such as //the following//, but not after the expression //such as//. Do not use a colon if the list comes immediately after a preposition or verb, including forms of the word //include//.
 * 34) Correct: //The bake sale had multiple items: cakes, pies, and brownies.//
 * 35) Incorrect: //The bake sale had multiple items, including: cakes, pies, and brownies.//
 * 36) Capitalize the first letter following a colon only if it begins a complete sentence
 * 37) Correct: //The principal made this announcement: The school will close 15 minutes early today.//
 * 38) Incorrect: //The teacher only had one thing in their grade book: Attendance records.//
 * 39) Use double quotation marks for direct quotes. Use single quotation marks to set off quotes within quotes.
 * 40) The football captain explained that, "The other team's coach's remark was completely uncalled for. It was in extremely poor taste to call me a, 'lousy cheater.'"
 * 41) Use quotation marks for titles of short works, such as poems, short stories, TV shows, and songs.
 * 42) The unofficial anthem of No Place for Hate is Langston Hughes' "I'm Still Here."