Punctuation | University Communications & Marketing

Apostrophes

Use an apostrophe to indicate where letters are omitted in a contraction.
- It’s so easy if you’re familiar with the rules.
Do not use an apostrophe to indicate a plural; use the apostrophe only to indicate possession.
- Southern Arkansas University reached its highest enrollment last year.
- The University’s baseball team is one of the best in the nation.
- The Joneses and the Johnsons were among those in attendance.
- The 1980s were good for the University.

Use a colon after an independent clause to list, restate, clarify, or illustrate. Do not use a colon where a semicolon is appropriate.
- Illustrate the correct usage of the following
  punctuation marks: commas, semicolons and colons.
- Quality is a concern; our reputation is based on it.

In a series use commas to separate items but no comma before a conjunction. Example: We bought eggs, milk and cheese at the store.
- The flag is red, white and blue.
- The University offers classes in nursing, sociology, social work and history.
Use a comma to separate adjectives equal in rank and the word “and” could be inserted without changing the intent of the statement.
- He considered the situation in a thoughtful, precise manner.
- The tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Introductory phrases such as “Last year” and “In 1966” do not require commas. When in doubt, leave it out.
- In 1966 the board was established.
When a conjunction such as “and,” “but” or “for” links two clauses that could stand alone as separate sentences, use a comma before the conjunction.
- He teaches English, and she teaches history.

Hyphenate compound words that are used as adjectives.
- full-time job, on-campus housing, triple-option offense, so-called neurosis, 12-year-old boy
Do not hyphenate compound words that have an “-ly” ending or those that are used as nouns.
- widely known speaker, sensibly tailored suit, firmly held opinion, sharply reduced prices
Whenever self is used as a prefix, it must be followed by a hyphen.
- self-confidence, self-esteem, self-denial, self-taught
“Suspension” hyphens are always used when parts of the compound words are separated from each other.
- In second-and third-down situations, the coach usually sends in a pass-option play.
Do not hyphenate “vice president.”
- Roger Giles is the vice president for administration and general counsel.
- Vice President Roger Giles will give the report.
Hyphenate part-time and full-time when using it as a compound modifier (adjective).
- She works part time.
- He has a full-time job.
Do not hyphenate African American.

Quotation marks appear in pairs with one exception. If an individual’s dialogue extends more than a paragraph, put quotation marks at the beginning of each paragraph but at the end of only the final paragraph.
In general, quotations within quotations require single marks.
- She asked, “Have you read the poem ‘To Autumn’ by Keats?”
Commas and periods should be placed inside the closing quotation marks in all circumstances.
- “I’ll let you know in the morning,” he replied.
Colons and semicolons appearing at the end of a quote should always be placed outside the closing quotation marks.
- The bird said “Nevermore”; I said, “Why do you always take such a negative attitude?”
Question marks, exclamation points, and dashes go either inside or outside the closing quotation marks depending on their function. If they are punctuating the quoted material itself, they go inside.
- “Is it healthy to sit around all day and watch television?” he asked.
- Do you think the bird could be taught to say “I’ll think it over and get back with you later”?

Semicolons may be used to connect closely related independent clauses not joined by coordinating conjunctions.
- I have ordered the book you requested; we no longer have it in stock.
Semicolons may be used to separate a series of items that require internal commas.
- He traveled to Austin, Texas; Baltimore, Md.; Norman, Okla.; Phoenix, Ariz.; and South Bend, Ind.