11 10 08 sparc2008 2009 punctuation grammar

							     SPARC 2008-2009
Punctuation and Grammar: A
  review of some common
          problems
                Referenced From
 Straus, Jane.(2008) The blue book of grammar and punctuation.
                   Philadelphia:Jossey-Bass.

    http://www.grammarbook.com
     with examples from SPARCs
           Punctuation Rules
  Spacing
•      With a computer, use only one space
  following periods, commas, semicolons,
  colons, exclamation points, question marks,
  and quotation marks. The space needed after
  these punctuation marks is proportioned
  automatically. Example: today, by opening
  dialogue…..
•      Use no spaces on either side of a hyphen.
  Example: We saw twenty-three students
  today. Example: four-time SPARC award
  recipient…..
   Punctuation Rules Continued
  Hyphens between Words
•    To check whether a compound noun is
  two words, one word, or hyphenated, you
  may need to look it up in the dictionary. If you
  can't find the word in the dictionary, treat the
  noun as separate words. Example: School-
  wide learning results….
  Examples: eyewitness, eye shadow, eye-
  opener
                Continued
• Hyphenate all compound numbers from
  twenty-one through ninety-nine. Example:
  twenty-two varsity sports teams……
  Example: The teacher had thirty-two children
  in her classroom.
                 Commas
• To avoid confusion, use commas to separate
  words and word groups with a series of three
  or more. Example: We assist students in
  resolving conflicts safely and peacefully,
  instill in students skills that promote
  academic success, and intervene in
  moments of personal crisis.
  Example: My $10 million estate is to be split
  among my husband, daughter, son, and
  nephew. Omitting the comma after son would
  indicate that the son and nephew would have
  to split one-third of the estate.
                   Colon
• Use the colon after a complete sentence to
  introduce a list of items when introductory
  words such as namely, for example, or that is
  do not appear. Example: The following
  evidence illustrates the achievements of
  our team:…..
  Examples: You may be required to bring
  many items: sleeping bags, pans, and warm
  clothing.
                Continued
• Capitalization and punctuation are optional
  when using single words or phrases in
  bulleted form. If each bullet or numbered
  point is a complete sentence, capitalize the
  first word and end each sentence with proper
  ending punctuation. The rule of thumb is to
  be consistent. Example: Our SSPT has
  been recognized by the Los Angeles
  County Office of Education as an
  Academy Award winner the last five years.
                 Examples
• The following are requested:
  (a) Wool sweaters for possible cold weather.
  (b) Wet suits for snorkeling.
  (c) Introductions to the local dignitaries. OR
• The following are requested:
• (a) wool sweaters for possible cold weather
  (b) wet suits for snorkeling
• (c) introductions to the local dignitaries
              Parentheses
• Use parentheses to enclose words or figures
  that clarify or are used as an aside.
  Example: is to assess annual data (see the
  Healthy Kids Survey)……
  Example: I expect five hundred dollars
  ($500).
                 Continued

• Use full parentheses to enclose numbers or
  letters used for listed items.
  Example: We need an emergency room
  physician who can (1) think quickly, (2) treat
  patients respectfully, and (3) handle
  complaints from the public.
               Apostrophe
• Use the apostrophe to show possession.
  Place the apostrophe before the s to show
  singular possession. Example: Guidance
  Department’s Student Support
  Program……
  Examples: one boy's hat one woman's hat
             Apostrophe
• To show plural possession, make the
  noun plural first. Then immediately use
  the apostrophe.
  Examples: two boys' pens; two
  women's hats; two children's grades;
  the Changs' house and the Joneses'
  golf clubs
                  Apostrophes
• The plurals for capital letters and numbers used as
  nouns are not formed with apostrophes.
  For example: She consulted with three M.D.s.
  BUT
  She went to three M.D.s' offices.
  The apostrophe is needed here to show plural
  possessive.
  Additional examples:
  She learned her ABCs. The 2009s not the 2009's
  The '90s or the mid-'70s not the '90's or the mid-'70's
  Example: The counseling team has been
  awarded five SPARCs…..
             Apostrophes
• Exception: Use apostrophes with
  capital letters and numbers when the
  meaning would be unclear otherwise.
  Examples: Please dot your i's. You
  don't mean is. Ted couldn't distinguish
  between her 6's and 0's. You don't
  mean O's.
               Capitalization

• Do not capitalize the civil title if it is used
  instead of the name. Example: Examples:
  assessments are critical to a successful
  counseling program….The principal has
  helped to create….
• All senators are expected to attend.
                 Continued
• Do not capitalize little words within titles such
  as a, an, the, but, as, if, and, or, nor, or
  prepositions, regardless of their length.
  Example: Los Angeles County Office of
  Education
  Examples:The Day of the Jackal What Color
  Is Your Parachute? A Tale of Two Cities
                  Continued

• Do not capitalize names of seasons.
• Capitalize words derived from proper nouns.
  Example: I must take English and math.
  English is capitalized because it comes from
  the proper noun England. Example:
  Advanced Placement Biology was offered
  for the first time this year.
• Capitalize the names of specific course titles.
  Example: The counseling staff was
  instrumental in implementing the Algebra
  2 requirement
     Spelling, Vocabulary, and
        Confusing Words
• a vs. an. Use a when the first letter of the
  word following has the sound of a consonant.
  Keep in mind that some vowels sound like
  consonants when they’re sounded out as
  individual letters. Example: A member of
  our guidance team…..
               Continued
• Use an when the first letter of the word
  following has the sound of a vowel.
  Remember that some consonants sound like
  vowels when they’re spoken as individual
  letters. Example: An immediate goal of the
  counseling program…..
• Examples: an FBI case (F is pronounced ef
  here)
• an honor (H is silent here)
               Continued
• affect vs. effect
• Use effect when you mean bring about or
  brought about, cause or caused.
  Example: He effected a commotion in the
  crowd. Example: showed the effectiveness
  of the student support team……….
• Use effect when you mean result.
  Example: Example The “Counselor of the
  Day” had an immediate effect…….
• Affect is used as a noun to mean emotional
  expression. Example: After the group
  session there was a marked change in
  affect of the students.
                Continued
• e.g. for example
• i.e. that is, in other words
  Example: My living expenses have increased,
  e.g., rent, food, and utilities. Example:
  support personnel for students i.e. (House
  Leaders),……
• Example: My living expenses have drained my
  finances, i.e., I have less money in the bank
  at the end of every month.
              Continued
• Irregardless no such word exists
• Regardless in spite of, without regard
  Example: Regardless of the background of
  the students, they scored well…….
• To in the direction of, toward; Example:
  improvement to aid in student
  achievement….
• Too also, to an extensive degree
  Example: The administration went along
  with the plan too.
           Writing Numbers
• Spell out single-digit whole numbers. Use
  numerals for numbers greater than nine.
  Examples: The are four new counselors
  this year and………. There was a 79%…..
• Always spell out simple fractions and use
  hyphens with them.
  Examples: A two-thirds majority is required
  for that bill to pass in Congress.
                Continued
• A mixed fraction can be expressed in figures
  unless it is the first word of a sentence.
  Example: We expect a 5 1/2 percent wage
  increase. Example: The results of the test
  showed a 35 1/2 percent increase…….
                Continued
• The simplest way to express large numbers is
  best. Round numbers are usually spelled out.
  Be careful to be consistent within a sentence.
• Example: You can earn from one million to
  five million dollars.
• Write decimals in figures. Put a zero in front
  of a decimal unless the decimal itself begins
  with a zero.
  Example: The plant grew 0.79 of a foot in
  one year.
               Citations

  Simple example of a book citation (one
  author) in APA style.
• Baxter, C. (1997). Race equality in
  health care and education. Philadelphia:
  McGraw Hill.
            APA STYLE
This is a very helpful site:
• http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/Do
  CAPAFormatting.html