Writing Conventions

Front

What is a comma used for?

Back

A comma is used to separate items in a list, to set off introductory elements, and to separate clauses in a sentence.

Front

What is an exclamation point?

Back

An exclamation point is a punctuation mark that shows strong emotion, emphasizes a statement, or indicates surprise.

Front

Why is it important to cite sources?

Back

Citing sources is important because it avoids plagiarism, adds credibility to your work, and allows readers to find the original sources.

Front

What should you do if a source does not have a page number?

Back

If a source does not have a page number, you should leave it off when citing.

Front

How do you punctuate a question in dialogue?

Back

In dialogue, a question should end with a question mark, and the sentence should continue with a lowercase letter unless it's a proper noun.

Front

What is a semicolon used for?

Back

A semicolon is used to connect closely related independent clauses and to separate items in a complex list.

Front

What is the purpose of quotation marks?

Back

Quotation marks are used to indicate direct speech, quotations, or titles of short works.

Front

What is a run-on sentence?

Back

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or conjunction.

Front

What is the difference between a period and a question mark?

Back

A period indicates the end of a declarative sentence, while a question mark indicates the end of an interrogative sentence.

Front

What is a fragment?

Back

A fragment is an incomplete sentence that lacks a main clause and does not express a complete thought.