Punctuation: Definition

Conventional signs or punctuation marks help in maintaining the typography of a sentence, making the text written language clear enough to read. To make the sentences for better understanding and correct reading of the written text, punctuation is used. Punctuations cover the use of spacing between words.

Whether the text is read silently or aloud, the punctuation marks emphasise the importance of the topic present. Another description of it will help in interpreting the practice, action or system of inserting points or small marks. Using punctuation marks will separate the text into sentences, clauses, etc. Hence, punctuation is vital to open the meaning of sentences in the English language.

History of Punctuation

Chinese and Mayan scripts are examples of the first writing system. Logographic or syllabic, the script did not require punctuation or even spacing. This is because the smallest meaningful lexical or words are typically clustered within one single letter. As a result, where one word starts or another begins, there is no distinction required. If distinguishing between letters is necessary, they will make use of spacing. The communication of emphasis and disambiguation can be easy without the need for punctuation. 

As for punctuation, it employs a separate written form different from the spoken form of the language. In the early stages of writing, there was no capitalisation, space, vowels and some punctuation marks. A few examples for this writing would be the Phoenician, Hebrew and others of the same family. This concept worked as long as the subject matter was restricted to a limited range of topics. To read aloud, punctuation is historically an aid. Mesha Stele is the oldest known document to use punctuation.

Classification of Punctuation

If a person wants to create and support meaning within a sentence or to break it up, they can use punctuation. In simple terms, the words will just be free-flowing and make no sense to the readers without the punctuation. Therefore, in the written text, there is a need to make use of punctuation marks. 

Different types of punctuation marks include full stops(.), question mark (?), commas (,), colons (:), semi-colons (;), exclamation marks (!), apostrophes (‘) and speech marks (“,”). These marks show the structure of the sentence and where it starts or ends, and when to pause. To navigate a sentence, words are not the only ones that can help. A sentence can be clear to read and accurate so that it can be understood; making the use of punctuation marks is essential in a sentence. A few of them are classified below, along with punctuation examples:

1. Full Stop– A full stop is used to show the end of the sentence. For example, He bought an expensive jacket.
2. Commas- A comma is used to break down sentences, combining two clauses and showing one person when to pause. For example, Despite the fact I hate science, I quite like learning about chemistry.
3. Question Marks- To indicate that a speaker is asking a question. They are a bit more straightforward. Mostly used at the end of the interrogative sentences. For example, Do you still want to keep your favourite blanket?
4. Exclamation Marks- To change the meaning and tone of the sentence, one person can make use of the exclamation mark. They add excitement, anger or nervousness to the sentencing. For example, I’m so nervous about my board’s exam!

Novel Punctuation Marks

The novel punctuation marks are categorised into 3 main types, and they are as follows:

Interrobang 

A combination of a question mark and exclamation mark is interrobang. This concept was brought by the American advertising executive Martin K. Speckter in the year 1962. They were used to make rhetorical questions or questions stated in the tone of disagreement.

Love Points And Similar Marks

The French author Herve Benz introduced six innovative punctuation marks. This was in the year 1966 in his book, Plumons Oiseau. Those six punctuation marks were:

1. The love point
2. The irony point
3. The conviction point
4. The acclamation point
5. The double point
6. The authority point

Question Comma, Exclamation Comma

Instead of the dot at the bottom of a question mark, the question comma has a comma instead. On the other hand, there is a comma in the exclamation mark in the place of the point at the bottom of the exclamation mark. 

Rules of Punctuation

For different types of punctuation, there are a set of rules while using them. Some of them are as follows:

End Punctuation

1. For a statement, use a period at the end of its declarative sentence. 
2. For a command, use a period at the end of an imperative sentence. 
3. For a question, use a question mark at the end of the interrogative sentence. 
4. For a strong feeling, use an exclamation point at the end of the sentence.

Commas

1. To separate three or more things in a series, use commas.
2. To show a pause after an introductory word, use a comma.
3. To set off names used in the direct address, make use of commas.

Semicolons And colons

1. After the salutation of a letter, a colon is used at the end.
2. To join parts of the compound sentence when conjunction such as but, or, or and is not used, make use of the semicolon. 

Apostrophes And Hyphens

1. To form the possessive of a plural noun that ends in -s, use an apostrophe alone.
2. To replace words that have been omitted in a contraction, use an apostrophe.
3. In the compound, numbers use a hyphen.
4. In certain compound nouns, they use a hyphen or hyphens.