“We have a language that is full of ambiguities; we have a way of expressing ourselves that is often complex and elusive, poetic and modulated; all our thoughts can be rendered with absolute clarity if we bother to put the right dots and squiggles between the words in the right places. Proper punctuation is both the sign and the cause of clear thinking.” — Lynne Truss, Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
Words are powerful, but let’s not forget to attend to punctuation — on the meaning that is conveyed through the smallest lines and dots in written communication and through cadence, tone, and expression in spoken language.
Convey clear, concise meaning with full stops — period.
Listen for pauses in thought — for the subtlety of a comma, the spontaneity of parentheses, and the urgency of an em dash. And always insist upon an Oxford comma.
Cite sources to honor and promote the ideas of others.
Ask questions, wonder, and seek clarification.
Express joy, but refrain from using gratuitous exclamation points.
