5 Punctuation

Like spelling and grammar, accurate punctuation is very important in communicating clearly in writing. Punctuation is the set of marks or symbols that help keep meaning clear and ensure the reader understands what is being communicated.

There are many complicated rules around punctuation that can be confusing and intimidating. In this section you will focus on the basic punctuation that ensures your everyday writing, and the writing you need to do for Functional Skills English or Essential Skills Wales Communication Level 1 assessments, is accurate and clear.

There are 14 punctuation marks commonly used in English – you will have heard of many of them. However, not all of them are vital for everyday writing, so you concentrate here on five of them: full stops, question marks, exclamation marks, commas and apostrophes.

As you develop your English skills and work through the levels and qualifications, you will meet the other punctuation marks.

In this section you also think about the use of capital letters. Like punctuation marks, there are many rules and guidelines for the use of capitals. You look now at the key points to ensure your use of capitals is accurate for everyday life, work and study.