Sentence Sense

Punctuation marks may be small, but they are powerful! Sharpen your knowledge of sentence structure, grammar, expression, and meaning with a classmate.

• 1.

  An English grammarian, Lynne Truss, wrote the best-selling book Eats. Shoots. And leaves. The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation. One of her many points is that the placement and choice of punctuation marks can greatly affect the meaning of sentences. How many ways can you punctuate these four words---eats shoots and leaves---to get different meanings? (think pandas and bamboo, or Western movies for two examples).

• 2.

  Compose or find groups of words or sentences that are equally open to different punctuation. Write an example on a dry-erase board with Crayola® Dry-Erase Markers, leaving out all punctuation. You could use a simple sentence such as "No dogs please" or more complex ones such as "Among students meetings take place every two weeks to discuss assignments."

• 3.

  Ask a classmate to add punctuation in a contrasting marker color. Read it aloud and discuss the meaning. How else could the sentence be punctuated to change its meaning and the expression with which it is read? For example, what are the differences among "No dogs, please," "No dogs please!", "No dogs please," "No! Dogs please" and "No, dogs please"?

• 4.

  Erase the sentence with a tissue and try more possibilities.

Benefits

• Students compose sentences without punctuation.
• Students determine several different types of appropriate punctuation, depending on intended meaning.
• Students differentiate between possible meanings and expressions with added punctuation.
• Students work with a partner to create and punctuate sentences.

Adaptations

• Start a running list of grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes that you notice. Add them to a classroom display. You will be surprised by how many there are!
• To introduce this idea with younger students or those with special needs, consider using references such as Punctuation Takes a Vacation.
• Assessment: Float around the class, listening and observing to see whether students understand the role of each punctuation mark. Ask individual students to complete prepared samples on paper, selected for the variety of possibilities.