Question mark

1. Use a question mark after sentences which ask a direct question. What makes you think your answer is correct?
2. Use a question mark within quote marks when quoting someone’s direct question. “Is this really true? ” Debbie asked. George then asked, “Aren’t you ever sure of yourself? ”
3. Use a question mark after questions included in statements.
4. Then the teacher asked. Why does Debbie always have doubts?

Use question marks with a series of questions within a sentence.

One must always consider who? what? where? when? and why a problem occurred hen writing a thesis.

5. Use a question mark with doubtful information.

She gave the answer to the problem as 28 (7) but her computations did not show how she arrived at that figure.

Exclamation mark

1. Use an exclamation mark to indicate words with heavy emotional force. Fire! Snake! Get out! NEVER DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THE MARK!
2. Use the exclamation to indicate sentences which show extreme joy, fear, shock outrage or irony. Down with term papers!

Comma

1. Use a comma between independent clauses linked by a coordinating conjunction! Dark tried to explain, but Lois would not listen.
2. Use commas after introductions elements in a series.

However, Dark persisted with his explanation.

3. Use commas to enclose nonrestrictive elements.

Dark Kent, who is a talented manipulator, knew he could convince Lois to help him with the assignment.

4. Use commas with nonrestrictive appositives.

Superman, Dark Kent, is an interesting illusion.

Nonrestrictive elements are those which are not necessary for the sentence meaning, as contrasted restrictive elements can not be removed from a sentence without changing meaning.

5. Use commas with most absolute phrases.

His costume approved by his mother, Dark went to work.

6. Use commas with elements that interrupt or stand outside the sentence or independent clause structure.

Dark, you must improve your comma usage.

My, my, my, I do enjoy watching “Superman”.

Yes, the new series is certainly interesting.

No, I do not wish to watch the re-runs of the old series.

7. Use commas with elements that stand outside or within independent clauses, conjunctive adverbs (Superman’s flying, therefore, must be super) and transitional words (Thus, Lois is always safe in his grasp.)

1. Use commas to set apart words which are contrary. Superman, not Lois, is really the best reporter.
2. Use commas before elements at the end of independent clauses. That is a surprise, isn’t it?

10. Use commas with elements in a series.

The Joker, the Penguin, Catwoman, and Robin are characters in the “Batman” series, in the “Superman” series.

11. Use commas after introductions to quotations.

Alphonse Brown indicates, “Superman is a figment of the starved population which assumes that society's ills can only be solved through a super human being.”

12. Use commas after salutations and closings as in the following letter.

October 12, 1993

Dear Lois and Clark,

You have provided protection and security for Metropolis for years, so now, we would like to invite you to consider Grand Rapids, Michigan, as your new challenge. We would, welcome your attention, and eagerly await your reply.

Sincerely,

13. Use commas in addresses and in dates, (see ex. 12)

14. Use commas in long numbers with more than three digits.

15. Use commas with titles and classifications, С. К. Superman, Jr., will fly again in 1997.

David R. Brown, M.D., has never had a malpractice suit against him.

16. Use commas to clarify meaning. Years before, Clark met Lois.

Dash

1. Use a dash to connect an introductory list to the rest of the sentence.
2. Use a dash to set interruptions apart from the rest of the sentence.
3. Use a dash to set apart appositives and modifiers if they are particularly strong.
4. Use a dash for a concluding list or summary.

Hypen

1. Use a hyphen to show related parts of word phrases: soon-forgotten.
2. Use a hyphen to connect two word numbers: twenty-two.
3. Use a hyphen between the prefix and word root to avoid confusion: re-create/recreate, re-sign/resign.
4. Try to avoid using a hyphen at the end of a line in formal writing as it frequently detracts from the flow of the sentence. However, if you must use one, place the hyphen only between syllables of the word. Never hyphenate a one syllable word.