Writing STAAR Punctuation

Front

What is punctuation?

Back

Punctuation refers to the marks used in writing that help clarify meaning and separate ideas, such as periods, commas, and quotation marks.

Front

What is the purpose of a comma?

Back

A comma is used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence or to separate items in a list.

Front

When should you use quotation marks?

Back

Quotation marks are used to indicate the exact words spoken by someone or to highlight a specific phrase.

Front

What is an exclamation mark used for?

Back

An exclamation mark is used to express strong feelings or a high volume (shouting), and it often follows an exclamatory sentence.

Front

What is a period?

Back

A period is a punctuation mark used to indicate the end of a declarative sentence.

Front

How do you use commas in a list?

Back

Commas are used to separate items in a list, for example: apples, oranges, and bananas.

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a conjunction, often requiring a comma before the conjunction.

Front

When should you insert a comma before a conjunction?

Back

You should insert a comma before a conjunction (like 'and' or 'but') when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

What is the rule for using commas with introductory phrases?

Back

A comma should be used after an introductory phrase or clause to separate it from the main part of the sentence.

Front

What is the difference between a direct quote and indirect speech?

Back

A direct quote uses the exact words spoken and requires quotation marks, while indirect speech paraphrases what was said without quotation marks.