Punctuation | Page 9

enclose the reference letters or figures used to mark division and
classification in arguments or in precise statements.
This is done because: (a) it is clearer; (b) it is shorter.
These signs may be printed in several ways.
(a) a) (^a) ^a) (1) 1) (^1) ^1)
The old-fashioned form of parenthesis, always made too thin, may need
a thin space between it and its adjoining character when it is placed
too close to any letter that nearly fills the body in height, as in ( Hall ).
The space may not be needed when the proximate character has a
shoulder, as in ( Art), or when the parenthesis follows a period.)
The italic form of parenthesis is objectionable in book work.
Distinction is sought for the word in italic and not for the parenthesis
enclosing the word. The italic parenthesis may be used in job-work or

full display lines of italic letters.

THE BRACKET
Brackets are used in pairs, like the parentheses. In Job composition
either brackets or parentheses may be used, as suits the fancy or is
convenient. In descriptive text matter, however, brackets should not be
used where parentheses are clearly indicated.
Rules for the Use of the Bracket
1. To enclose words or phrases which are entirely independent of the
rest of the sentence.
The enclosed words are usually comments, queries, corrections,
criticisms, or directions inserted by some person other than the
original writer or speaker.
2. To enclose passages of doubtful authenticity in reprints of early
manuscripts, special amendments to bills under legislative
consideration, or any other portions of a text which need peculiar
identification.
3. In legal or ecclesiastical papers to indicate numerical words which
may have to be changed, or to indicate where details are to be
supplied.
This is the first [second or third] publication.
The officers shall remain in office [here state the time] or until their
successors are duly qualified.
4. To avoid the confusion caused by a parenthesis within a parenthesis.
5. A single bracket is used to enclose the ending of a long line of poetry
which will not fit the register and has to be run over into an adjoining
line.

Doubt whether to use parentheses or brackets can usually be settled by
this general principle:
Parentheses always enclose remarks apparently made by the writer of
the text. Brackets enclose remarks certainly made by the editor or
reporter of that text.

THE INTERROGATION
The interrogation is the point that asks questions. It should always be
placed outside quotation marks unless it is a part of the quotation itself.
Rules for the Use of the Interrogation
1. The interrogation point is used at the end of every direct question.
Are you there?
Indirect questions, that is, statements that a question has been asked,
do not require the interrogation.
He asked me if I was there. He asked the question, Are you there? and
received no answer.
2. At the end of each of a series of questions thrown into a single
sentence.
Did he speak in an ordinary tone? or shout? or whisper?
3. The interrogation, like a certain inflection in the voice, may indicate
that a sentence, though declarative in form, is really a question and
requires an answer.
You are, of course, familiar with New York?

THE EXCLAMATION

The exclamation mark is the mark of strong emotion.
Rules for the Use of the Exclamation
1. After every expression of great surprise or emotion.
Look, my lord! it comes! Angels and ministers of grace defend us! Alas!
my father.
2. After interjections and other exclamatory words.
Hurrah! Good! Away! Oh!
Where the exclamations are repeated without particularly emphasizing
each one, each may be followed by a comma except the last.
Ha, ha, ha! That's a good joke!
O used as a vocative or to express a desire or imprecation does not call
for an exclamation.
O John. Oh, yes. O, that night would come!
The exclamation is sometimes used in job printing to fill out a display
line or for other inadequate reasons. These uses should be avoided.

THE APOSTROPHE
The apostrophe is primarily the sign of the possessive case, but it has
several other uses.
Rules for the Use of the Apostrophe
1. The apostrophe for the possessive case is added only to nouns, not to
the pronouns, which have their distinct possessive forms. Its is a
possessive pronoun. It's is an abbreviation for it is. Do not use an
apostrophe with the possessive adjectives hers, ours, yours, theirs, its.

2. All nouns in the singular and all nouns in the plural except those
ending in s take an apostrophe and s to form the possessive.
Nouns in the plural ending in s take an apostrophe only to form the
possessive.
There is much difference of opinion