Punctuation
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apostrophe
An apostrophe conveys possession in most cases. The rules around apostrophe use change…
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brackets
Used by some in journalism to convey editorial insertion or clarification within quotes or to mark…
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bullets
Bullets are used to offset items on a list. The bullet is coded using tag to note that it’s an unordered…
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colon
The colon has four punctuation purposes: to set off lists, to set off a clause with emphasis…
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comma
Represents a short pause in a sentence, divide parts of a sentence, or divide items in a list. When commas divide…
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ellipsis
Use an ellipsis to condense quotes, texts or documents — ensuring not to change the meaning of the quote, text or document. Set…
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em-dash
Use the em-dash between the dateline and the start of the first paragraph, surrounded by…
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en-dash
The en-dash is used to indicate a span of time or place or to relace the word to. In headlines, sidebars, pullout…
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exclamation point
Only used in columns or op/ed pieces, with discretion. If used in a quote, it is placed inside…
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hyphen
A hyphen is used: •in compound modifiers (two or more words that express a single concept)…
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parentheses
Use sparingly and try to write around using them. Parentheses are generally not read by not read by screen…
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period
Periods end declarative statements, mildly declarative statements, rhetorical statements, and…
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question mark
Use a question mark at the end of a direct question, an interpolated question, at the end of a…
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quotation marks
Used around direct quotes; partial quotes and quote fragments; and words or phrases that are irony…
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semicolon
A semi-colon has two uses: (1) to separate items within a list and (2) to connect two sentences or complete…
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