Punctuation Rules

Colons
•Introduce explanation/definition of something
•Introduce list/series of items
•Introduce speech in dialog and after introductory address of speaker
•Punctuate indications of time/Bible references/volume/page references/ratios
•Separate subtitle from main part of title
•Follow labels that identify important ideas meant to get attention

Hyphens
•After prefix followed by proper noun
•Words beginning with prefixes all-, ex-, and self- and suffix –elect
•Some compound words to separate the words forming the compound word
•Connect words of compound modifier that comes before word being modified
•Within word to make some words clearer
•Dividing words at the end of a line

Parentheses
•Independent part of sentence not directly related to main statement is enclosed in parentheses
•Enclose letters/numbers to count items in series
•Place name not part of official name but necessary in sentence
•When matter is complete statement, punctuation comes before the closing parentheses

Question Marks
•End all direct questions
•Sentences describing question but not directly asking question do not take question mark
•After a point of fact to show uncertainty about it
•If question quoted directly

Quotation Marks
•Definitions in quotation marks
•Single quotation marks for quotation marks inside another quotation
•Person/work quoted directly and word for word
•Set off title of short written work or parts of longer work
•Unusual slang terms
•Title of newspaper or magazine article

Semicolons
•Separate two closely related independent clauses not joined by conjunction
•Separate three or more items in series if any items already contain commas
•Preceding explanatory phrases introduced by words such as for example, that is, or namely