Punctuation

Punctuation, by Frederick W.
Hamilton

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Title: Punctuation A Primer of Information about the Marks of
Punctuation and their Use Both Grammatically and Typographically
Author: Frederick W. Hamilton
Release Date: March 9, 2007 [EBook #20787]
Language: English
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PUNCTUATION ***

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TYPOGRAPHIC TECHNICAL SERIES FOR APPRENTICES--
PART VI, NO. 33
PUNCTUATION
A PRIMER of INFORMATION ABOUT THE MARKS OF
PUNCTUATION AND THEIR USE BOTH GRAMMATICALLY
AND TYPOGRAPHICALLY
BY
FREDERICK W. HAMILTON, LL. D.
EDUCATIONAL DIRECTOR UNITED TYPOTHETÆ OF
AMERICA

PUBLISHED BY THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION UNITED
TYPOTHETAE OF AMERICA 1920

COPYRIGHT, 1920 UNITED TYPOTHETAE OF AMERICA
CHICAGO, ILL.

PREFACE
This book, like the others in this Part, makes no pretense at originality.
The author has studied and compared a considerable number of works

by the best authorities on the subject and has endeavored to adapt the
best of their contents to the use of printers' apprentices. Every author
has his own set of rules. At first sight, each set appears inconsistent
with those given by other writers. This inconsistency, however, is
generally more apparent than real. It arises from differences in point of
view, method of approach, and system of classification.
An attempt has been made to compile from these sources a set of rules
which would bring before the pupil a correct and comprehensive view
of the best current usage, well illustrated by examples and accompanied
by practical typographical hints. The fact has been kept steadily in
mind that this book is intended for a certain definite class of pupils and
no pains have been spared to fit it to their needs.
Any treatise consisting, as this one necessarily does, mainly of rules is
practically useful only as a basis for constant and persistent drill. It is,
of course, valuable for reference, but the emergencies of the day's work
leave no time for consultation. These rules must be learned, and not
only learned but assimilated so that their correct application becomes
instinctive and instantaneous. This result can be secured only by
practice. Hence the emphasis laid on the exercises indicated in the
paragraphs introductory to the review questions.

CONTENTS
PAGE INTRODUCTION 1
THE COMMA 7
THE SEMICOLON 14
THE COLON 16
THE PERIOD 18
THE DASH 20

THE PARENTHESIS 23
THE BRACKET 25
THE INTERROGATION 26
THE EXCLAMATION 27
THE APOSTROPHE 28
THE HYPHEN 30
QUOTATION MARKS 31
GENERAL REMARKS 34
SUMMARY 35
SUPPLEMENTARY READING 36
REVIEW QUESTIONS 37
GLOSSARY OF TERMS 40

PUNCTUATION

INTRODUCTION
Punctuation is a device by which we aid words to tell their story.
Words have done this at times without such aid, and may now do so,
but at constant risk of serious misunderstanding. This can be easily
seen by reading the following lines printed as they would have been
written in an ancient manuscript.
WETHEPEOPLEOFTHEUNITEDSTATES
INORDERTOFORMAMOREPERFECT

UNIONESTABLISHJUSTICEINSUREDO
MESTICTRANQUILITYPROVIDEFOR
THECOMMONDEFENCEPROMOTETHE
GENERALWELFAREANDSECURETHE
BLESSINGSOFLIBERTYTOOURSELVES
ANDOURPOSTERITYDOORDAINAND
ESTABLISHTHISCONSTITUTIONFOR
THEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA
Probably this particular passage could be read without danger of
serious misunderstanding. The two well-known passages which follow,
however, are cases where either a simple statement may become a
ridiculous travesty or a serious arraignment may become a eulogy by
punctuation.
Punctuate the following so as to express two very different meanings:
Lord Palmerston then entered on his head a white hat upon his feet
large but well polished boots upon his brow a dark cloud in his hand a
faithful walking stick in his eye a menacing glare saying nothing.
Punctuate the following in two ways: one to represent a very bad man,
and the other a very good man:
He is an old man and experienced in vice and wickedness he is never
found in opposing the works of iniquity he takes delight in the downfall
of his neighbors he never rejoices in the prosperity of his
fellow-creatures he is always ready to assist in destroying the peace of
society he takes no pleasure in serving the Lord he is uncommonly
diligent in sowing discord among his friends and acquaintances he
takes no pride in laboring to promote the cause of Christianity he has
not been negligent in endeavoring to stigmatize all public teachers he
makes