Punc Rocks: Foundation Stones for Precise Punctuation, 2nd edition

Published by Pearson (November 7, 2011) © 2012

  • Jenny Buxton University of Auckland
  • Susan Carter University of Auckland
  • Sean Sturm University of Auckland
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Title overview

Those who believe that all you need to know about commas is that you put them in every time you would take a breath if you were reading a sentence out will be surprised to learn that this lengthy sentence cannot take a comma.

If you are in doubt, you must read this book! Aimed at students, professionals and all who want to produce sound formal writing, Punc Rocks is clear, sensible, even enjoyable.

  • A glossary and index for easy navigation.
  • Exercises (with answers) for D.I.Y. practice.
  • Punc Rocks is a plain English guide to real-world punctuation for formal writing.

Table of contents

Introduction: Punctuation in Practice
Using this book: payout

Chapter 1: Sentence Sense
The English sentence
Ungrammatical sentences

Chapter 2: The Comma Sutra
Non-essential elements: bracketing commas
Essential elements: no commas
Commas with that and which
Commas with modifiers and appositives
Listing commas
Introductory words, phrases and clauses
Joining main clauses: coordinating conjunctions and commas
Where not to use commas
Pragmatic uses

Chapter 3: What’s Mine’s Not Yours!
Apostrophes
Punctuation and quotation marks
Semicolons ;
Colons :

Chapter 4: Excuse Me! May I Have the Pleasure?
Exclamation marks !
Question marks ?
Brackets (or parentheses)
Ellipses ...
The dash —
Hyphens -

Chapter 5: Grey Matters
Moments of choice: optional punctuation
Full stop, question mark or exclamation mark?
Semicolon, colon or full stop?
Bracketing options: commas, brackets or dashes?
Essential or non-essential?
Chunking
Hyphens
British versus American punctuation
Punctuation and quotation marks
Contrasting elements
Creative writing: concrete meaning and creative voice
How punctuation can affect meaning

Chapter 6: Do It Yourself!
Sentence sense
The comma sutra
Excuse me! May I have the pleasure?

Chapter 7: Do It Yourself Answers
Sentence sense
The comma sutra
Excuse me! May I have the pleasure?

Glossary
Works Consulted
Index

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