Harvey's Elementary Grammar and Composition · Lesson 129–133 · Part 3: Part III: Punctuation, and the Appendix
93. Question mark, exclamation point, dash, curves and brackets
Goal: Your child uses the question mark, exclamation point, dash, parentheses and brackets correctly.
You'll need
- The book, open to this lesson
- Paper and a pencil (or a slate)
What's in the book
Lessons 129 to 133 define the interrogation point, exclamation point, dash, curves (parentheses) and brackets, each with rules and examples.
The lesson, step by step
Review
Ask: Which shows more separation, a semicolon or a colon?
Questions and feelings
Read:
The Interrogation Point denotes that a question is asked.
The Exclamation Point denotes passion or emotion.
The book's examples: "Where is Singapore?" and "Alas, poor Yorick!"
The dash
Read:
The dash should be used where a sentence breaks off abruptly, or where there is a change in its meaning or construction.
The book also uses dashes around a remark, in place of curves.
Curves (parentheses)
Read:
The curves should include those words which may be omitted without injury to the sense.
Example:
My gun was on my arm (as it always is in that district)
Brackets
Read:
Brackets are used to include words, phrases, or clauses explaining what precedes them, or correcting an error.
Examples:
They [the Indians] are fast disappearing.
I differ with [from] you in opinion.
Practice
Your child writes one sentence using each mark from today's lesson.
Use it today
Find parentheses or a dash in today's reading.
Answers to the book's problems
Sentences will vary.
Worked out for this site from the scan. If a number in your copy differs, trust the book.