Punctuation mistakes: general information about the issues

When composing an academic paper, punctuation is critical. Why should punctuation mistakes be tracked? What is the difference that a single comma or colon can make? As specified by Gallaudet University, punctuation is an integral part of academic writing. The set of rules helps to keep the presented ideas well-structured and properly used. Besides, it provides the target audience with a chance to determine the meanings behind the words clearly and straightforwardly.

Hiring a professional paper writer to work on the challenging assignment might be the first idea that comes to the student’s mind when they hear about punctuation rules. However, it takes a bit of practice and experience to advance knowledge and become a better writer. Once you know how to use semicolon and when to avoid excessive commas, you are ready to work on any type of academic assignment.

Utilizing correct punctuation will be the right way to work on the scholarly text, while the misuse of punctuation marks will result in a lower grade and distorted meaning of the words. Keep reading the guide to learn more about different types of sentences and the punctuation marks that should be inserted in each. Scan the most common grammatical and punctuation errors students make so that you have a chance to create an influential and flawless text.

Top 15 punctuation mistakes students make

Do you need to use is or are in a specific case? What is the difference between they’re and their? These are just two of the simplest examples of grammar and punctuation mistakes students make. In the overwhelming majority of instances, learners do not really know the rules, but follow their feelings, which betray them most of the time.

Check out the list of the most common punctuation mistakes if you want to avoid such situations and improve the quality of your writing. Stick to the guidelines and make sure you proofread every text before submitting.

• Misplaced apostrophes. The use of apostrophes while making the plural form of the word is the most common mistake students make. However, according to the rules of punctuation, this is not the way it should be. Instead, the apostrophe is used to show possession or to create a contraction.

  - We are planning on buying numerous car’s for the family.

  + We are to replace Mark’s old car with a new one.

• It’s vs. its mistake. This is the point when the information becomes complicated and challenging for students. Applying the previous rule of the apostrophe’s use, learners can get quite confused. However, it is indispensable to mind certain exceptions. Thus, when it comes to “it’s”, we are talking about contraction rather than possession.

  - Its his mistake.

  + It’s a good sign for all of us.

• Misused quotation marks. This is another common mistake students tend to make. There are strict rules that predetermine the use of single and double quotation marks. Therefore, it is not necessary to apply them in every single sentence. Instead, the double quotation should be used to present direct speech or when working with dialogue. Additionally, it is used with specific and slang words.

  - Have you been to the “tower” last night?

  + Have you watched the “Fast and Furious” movie?

• Incorrect use of single quotation marks. At this point, the use of quotation marks can be even more confusing. While the double quotation marks are used for direct quotes, single quotation marks are used for the quote within the quote.

  - Mark said ‘he was afraid’.

  + Mark emphasized last night, “I was afraid when Nancy said, ‘Stay quiet’”.

• Wrong use of parentheses. While most people believe parentheses are the easiest mark to use, it is not always so. In most instances, they are used to divide additional information from the main sentence, they may be used to set multiple sentences apart. Unfortunately, a lot of students still use them incorrectly.

  - I went to the bookstore (to purchase a new bestseller) and met a friend on the way back.

  + I went to a bookstore (the new one in the neighborhood) and met a friend on the way back.

• Use of commas. Check out the Oxford comma rule, which will help you avoid the misuse of this punctuation mark. Besides, mind other guidelines that will help you place commas correctly without confusing the readers.

  - When I was in the hotel, I placed my bag, so that the staff, could have enough space to pass me.

  + I am going to a rock concert this Saturday, and I am also considering visiting a friend.

• Overuse of commas. Some people believe that using commas will contribute to the quality of the paper. However, placing commas should be precise and proper.

  - Mark, Ashley, and Mike, when at work, went to have coffee, and forgot to be back, on time.

  + Clay was the one to come up with the idea, not me.

• Misplaces period. A full stop is the basic punctuation mark used to end a sentence. Its misuse can make the text confusing and lead to run-on sentences. The rules here are quite simple, as you need to place a period after you complete the sentence or the logical idea.

  - It was challenging to deal with all the assignments, they were complicated, they contained too many details to discuss and analyze.

  + It was challenging to deal with all the assignments as they were complicated. They contained too many details to discuss and analyze.

• Issues with the dash use. Dash is one of the elements that people have little understanding of how to punctuate correctly. However, there are multiple rules that regulate its use. In the overwhelming majority of instances, the dash is aimed at making a pause, so it can help to set some data apart.

  - I struggled to go through the last year of college - mainly because of stress.

  + I struggled to go through the last year of college, mainly because of stress.

• Wrong use of capitalization. No matter if you are working on law essay writing, or any other type of academic project, make sure you follow the capitalization rules. Consider the guidelines related to the titles and headings. Keep in mind that they may depend on the formatting style you apply in the whole paper. Additionally, beware of other capitalization issues students can face. In the vast majority of cases, we capitalize the first word in the sentence, as well as proper nouns. However, the misuse of capitalization can question your professionalism and qualification.

  - The Summer Festival takes place in August and our favorite Artist will perform.

  + The summer festival takes place in August and our favorite artist will perform.

The way punctuation mistakes can affect the writing

Punctuation mistakes are quite common in academic writing due to multiple reasons. First of all, some students simply ignore the rules and see no difference between masters or master's or similar words. As a result, they make a lot of mistakes that affect the quality of the submitted paper. Secondly, incorrect comma usage or other punctuation issues can appear in the academic text because of the limited time. It means that the students are running late with their projects and do not have a chance to proofread and edit the text. Consequently, they end up using punctuation that is inadequate in the specific situation. The examples of punctuation that were used incorrectly are numerous, each emphasizing specific issues. Most of the tim,e students misuse commas, dashes, and colons, as they are unaware of the rules that regulate their use.

How can it influence the writing? The most obvious outcome is the decreased grade as a result of the wrong or poor punctuation. Additionally, it is indispensable to remember that punctuation can influence the effectiveness of conveying the message, which is critical for academic writing. Additionally, there are multiple other issues that can appear as a result of the punctuation misuse.

• Altered meaning of the sentence
• Poor interpretation of the message
• Different tone and feeling of the piece

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Tips on how to avoid punctuation errors

What is a punctuation problem? In the overwhelming majority of instances, the most frequently made punctuation mistakes are the result of ignorance. It means that the students are unaware of the grammatical and punctuation rules, or are unwilling to check them in their papers. Instead, they focus on the essay format, structure, and content, absolutely ignoring the punctuation. As a result, they find themselves trapped, as punctuation matters. Moreover, if misused, it can ruin the overall effectiveness of the academic papers.

How do you avoid punctuation mistakes? Check out some of the most effective guidelines and tips that will contribute to the quality of your writing.

1. Start with the knowledge. The awareness of the punctuation rules is key. It may help you eliminate mistakes by proofreading and editing the text.
2. Take advantage of online tools. Browsing the web, you will come across a plethora of effective resources aimed at helping students improve their writing skills. Start with the free versions, revising your papers and eliminating the most common punctuation errors.
3. Follow the college guidelines. There are instances when certain punctuation marks can be used differently, mainly depending on the selected formatting style. Read the instructions carefully before you proceed to essay writing.
4. Proofread and edit the text. Once you are done with the writing stage, make sure you take your time to proofread the text. Read the text aloud multiple times to notice critical aspects to deal with.
5. Get help. There are a multitude of online essay creation companies that are ready to write papers for money. Hiring qualified writers, you can be confident that the paper you get is eloquent, well-structured, and free of any mistakes.

Key punctuation rules to follow

Learning the appropriate punctuation marks is quite a time-consuming process, as there are a plethora of rules and exceptions in the area. However, there are multiple tips that can help you advance the quality of your writing. First of all, you can browse the web, find a time-tested and reliable essay writing company, and pay for research papers. It will automatically eliminate your need to worry about grammar, punctuation, or other types of mistakes in your writing.

Alternatively, you can accept the challenge and make an effort to improve your essay writing skills. Check out the key punctuation marks below, and focus on the function of each, so that you know how to use them properly. Following the guidelines, you can make academic writing a guided and effective process with flawless results.

Punctuation mark	Use
Period	Ends sentences and is used in abbreviations
Quotation mark	Indicates a title, speech, or slang
Apostrophe	Signals the possession or absence of letters
Ellipsis	Shows that the information is omitted
Exclamation point	Helps with interjections, exclamations, and strong commands
Question mark	Highlights the sentence in the inquiry
Braces	Forms a list within a list
Hyphen	Can be used to separate the syllables of the same word or join words
Dash	Sets apart ideas within the sentence
Brackets	Emphasize the words added to a direct quotation
Semicolon	Creates a break and links two related sentences
Colon	Introduces elements that illustrate the clause before it
Parentheses	Sets apart the elements used to clarify the main idea
Comma	Creates a pause, separates ideas in the sentence

Conclusion

Working on academic writing assignments is a demanding, challenging, and time-consuming undertaking that requires profound knowledge of the field, as well as awareness of the correct punctuation rules. Following the guidelines and recommendations, you can make any of your papers look much more professional and influential. Beware of the most common punctuation errors that can affect the overall rating of your text, even if the content is flawless.

Poor punctuation is frequently a result of ignored proofreading and editing stages. Make sure you check the text for any kind of errors and inaccuracies after you are done with the first draft. Surf the web to take advantage of effective editing tools that can detect mistakes and help avoid them. Besides, mind a chance to hire a professional paper writer who will accomplish the whole project quickly, affordably, and effectively.