Lesson Five Homework

Get to the Point- Lesson Five



Part Two



         Well, I have noticed that I’m catching more punctuation errors as I review.  I have finally gotten a handle on when to use a comma instead of a period within dialogue.  That’s a major milestone for me.  I used to just use them alternatively and hope for the best—probably not the best (or mature) plan. 

I hadn’t known that some ‘stated’ questions didn’t require a question mark.  Of course, this is just one more thing to worry about while I’m working on revisions.  I’m finding that I need to stop and really consider whether the line is an actual question or a ‘questioning statement’.  I’m interested in seeing what reviewers say, because now they never seemed to complain when I just always ended a question with a question mark.

I think we can both agree on that I just don’t ‘get’ colons or semi-colons.  But, I am ‘studying’ how they’re used in the things I review.  So, perhaps something will eventually click in my brain and they’ll make sense.  But I’m not particularly worried about it.  I never really like using them.  Don’t ask why—because I haven’t a clue.  And I love the idea that hyphens are so misunderstood.  Personally, I love them.  They just ‘feel’ right.  Em dashes, en dashes—I loved them both.  Even when I manage to force myself to use a semi-colon, I inevitably change it to a dash in the revision. 

I’m sure I was just as guilty about using periods in abbreviations like SWAT or DEA as the writers I’ve mentioned it to in reviews the last few weeks.  So, I guess I have learned more than I even realize yet.  So, take heart—I might just start quoting punctuation rules in reviews.  And it will all be thanks to you!