Punctuation Party: How to Master Those Pesky Dots and Dashes for the Digital SAT, EST, and ACT

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By Mr. Osama Ahmad | April 10, 2023

Punctuation Party: How to Master Those Pesky Dots and Dashes for the Digital SAT, EST, and ACT

Punctuation Party: Periods, Semicolons, Commas, and Dashes

Punctuation Party: Mastering Dots and Dashes for Digital SAT, EST, and ACT

Introduction to Punctuation in Digital Exams

Punctuation is very important for doing well on the digital SAT, EST, and ACT exams. These tests are now done on computers, so you need to know how to use punctuation correctly in this new format. This guide will help you learn about punctuation basics, common mistakes to avoid, and how to do your best on the English parts of these tests.

Punctuation Basics: Commas, Periods, and Semicolons

Commas

Commas are used to separate items in a list, join two complete sentences, set off extra information, or introduce a sentence. For example:

"I bought apples, oranges, and bananas at the store." "I love reading, but I also enjoy writing."

Periods

Periods end sentences. They show where one thought ends and another begins. Use periods for regular sentences and indirect questions. For example:

"I finished my homework. Did she tell you when the project is due?"

Semicolons

Semicolons connect two related complete sentences or separate items in a list that already have commas. For example:

"The concert was amazing; I'll never forget it." "The three winners are: Jane, the novelist; Bob, the poet; and Sue, the playwright."

Using Dashes and Hyphens Correctly

Dashes

Dashes can set off extra information, show a sudden change in thought, or emphasize something. There are two types: the en dash (–) and the em dash (—). For example:

"The store is open from 9 a.m.–5 p.m." (en dash) "I can't believe she said that—or, at least, I think she said that." (em dash)

Hyphens

Hyphens join words together or break words at the end of a line. For example:

"mother-in-law" "well-being"

Mastering Quotation Marks and Parentheses

Quotation Marks

Quotation marks show direct speech, titles of short works, or irony. Use double quotes (" ") for most things and single quotes (' ') for quotes within quotes. For example:

"She said, 'I love this book.'" "He told me, 'She said, "I love this book."'"

Parentheses

Parentheses add extra information without changing the main sentence. For example:

"The novel (published in 1982) is a classic."

Punctuation Rules for Capitalization and Abbreviations

Capitalization

Capitalize the first word of a sentence, proper nouns (like names or places), and the first word in a direct quote. For example:

"The United States is a large country. New York City is one of its major cities."

Abbreviations

Use periods with some abbreviations and commas to separate parts of an address. For example:

"a.m." and "p.m." "123 Elm St., Anytown, USA"

Common Punctuation Errors to Avoid

Watch out for these common mistakes:

  • Comma splices (joining two sentences with just a comma)
  • Run-on sentences (no punctuation between two sentences)
  • Misplaced modifiers (describing words put in the wrong place)

Punctuation Strategies for Digital SAT, EST, and ACT English Sections

  1. Read carefully and pay attention to punctuation clues.
  2. Use process of elimination to remove wrong answers based on punctuation errors.
  3. Make sure your punctuation matches the tone and purpose of the passage.

Online Resources and Practice Materials

Visit these links for more help with punctuation:

Advanced Punctuation

Independent Clause
Dependent Clause
Aa
Punctuation

Although the scientific community initially rejected the theory of continental drift, Alfred Wegener's hypothesis gained significant support in the 1960s, when new evidence from paleomagnetism and seafloor spreading emerged.

This sentence uses commas to separate a dependent clause, an independent clause, and another dependent clause, demonstrating complex sentence structure.

The Industrial Revolution, which began in Great Britain in the late 18th century, dramatically transformed economic and social structures; it led to unprecedented urban growth, as people migrated from rural areas to cities in search of factory work.

This example showcases the use of commas for non-essential clauses, a semicolon to join related independent clauses, and a comma before a dependent clause.

Photosynthesisthe process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energyis crucial for life on Earth: it produces oxygen, removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and forms the basis of most food chains.

This sentence demonstrates the use of em dashes for emphasis, a colon to introduce a list, and commas in a series.

The author argues, "The rise of social media has fundamentally altered interpersonal communication; while it has expanded our ability to connect across vast distances, it has also led to a decline in face-to-face interactions, potentially impacting our capacity for empathy and deep, meaningful relationships."

This example shows the use of quotation marks for direct speech, a semicolon to join related ideas, and commas to separate clauses within a complex sentence.

Understanding these advanced sentence structures and punctuation uses is crucial for success on the SAT. Practice identifying independent and dependent clauses, and pay close attention to how punctuation connects and separates ideas within complex sentences.