SAY WHAT YOU MEAN, AND MEAN WHAT YOU SAY!

Just a misplaced comma can totally change the meaning of the statement below the picture.

I've always been a big advocate of proper punctuation.  Problems arise when one does not adequately communicate; in fact, I submit that misunderstandings can (and do) arise in the workplace when reports and memos are punctuated incorrectly.

In my English classroom, I've always taught that certain punctuation marks can be considered as traffic signs.  If not used correctly, the driver (writer) might cause an accident (misunderstanding)!


COMMA = yield sign/slow down and look ahead - it often prevents misreading (see picture above)
Example:  He wants to eat, Grandma!  The baby is ready for his milk.

SEMICOLON or PERIOD = stop sign
Example:  Yesterday, I was tired; today, I am more rested.
-OR-
The rain came down heavily.  Cars began slowing down.

COLON = look ahead to see what's coming.
Example:  Three things I enjoy doing:  reading, writing, and laughing.

Well, you get the idea.  The old adage, "Say what you mean, and mean what you say," is applicable for using punctuation--make certain that what you write actually communicates what you mean.