Beginner's Guide to English Punctuation
A 10-part course with How to Spell
Start Free Preview Start CourseCourse Overview
Teacher
Joanne Rudling has over 20 years' experience teaching all aspects of literacy, English and writing. Currently developing and running online spelling courses for adults. Worked in various organisations in the UK including City of Westminster College,... View ProfileDetails
- Total Time 1 hr, 58 min
- Lessons 10
- Attachments 11
- Exercises 50
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61 CQ
10 Lessons in This Course
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11 minFREEESL lesson 1Free6 CQ
Find out why punctuation is important, and learn how understanding proper punctuation gives writers more choices and can improve spelling and grammar.
with How to SpellFind out why punctuation is important, and learn how understanding proper punctuation gives writers more choices and can improve spelling and grammar.
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11 minSpelling lesson 26 CQ
Apostrophes are used for more than possession! In this lesson, review how to use apostrophes for contractions, short forms, and tricky homophones.
with How to SpellApostrophes are used for more than possession! In this lesson, review how to use apostrophes for contractions, short forms, and tricky homophones.
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11 minSpelling lesson 36 CQ
In the world of grammar, the apostrophe for possession is one of the hardest punctuation marks to use correctly. Discover the rules for usage in this lesson!
with How to SpellIn the world of grammar, the apostrophe for possession is one of the hardest punctuation marks to use correctly. Discover the rules for usage in this lesson!
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11 minSpelling lesson 46 CQ
Hyphen use in English is complicated, but here to help is Joanne of How to Spell. In this lesson, learn how to use hyphens to form compound words.
with How to SpellHyphen use in English is complicated, but here to help is Joanne of How to Spell. In this lesson, learn how to use hyphens to form compound words.
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11 minGrammar lesson 56 CQ
Using capital letters makes your writing look more professional. Find out how to use capital letters to indicate proper nouns and the beginnings of sentences.
with How to SpellUsing capital letters makes your writing look more professional. Find out how to use capital letters to indicate proper nouns and the beginnings of sentences.
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11 minGrammar lesson 66 CQ
Sentences may end with full stops/periods, exclamation points, or question marks. Find out how sentence structure affects the choice of terminating mark.
with How to SpellSentences may end with full stops/periods, exclamation points, or question marks. Find out how sentence structure affects the choice of terminating mark.
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12 minGrammar lesson 77 CQ
The comma is the most questioned punctuation mark, so Joanne will answer those tricky questions about commas in lists, interjections, and bracketing.
with How to SpellThe comma is the most questioned punctuation mark, so Joanne will answer those tricky questions about commas in lists, interjections, and bracketing.
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11 minGrammar lesson 86 CQ
If you want to make your writing interesting for the reader, using simple, compound, and complex sentences is a must. But punctuating them can be tricky!
with How to SpellIf you want to make your writing interesting for the reader, using simple, compound, and complex sentences is a must. But punctuating them can be tricky!
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11 minSpelling lesson 96 CQ
Punctuating numbers, dates, and time is useful for everyday life. Learn proper punctuation for numbers, dates, and times in British and American English.
with How to SpellPunctuating numbers, dates, and time is useful for everyday life. Learn proper punctuation for numbers, dates, and times in British and American English.
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11 minGrammar lesson 106 CQ
What’s the difference between a colon and a semicolon, and why does it matter? For one thing, these forms of punctuation are a must for formal writing.
with How to SpellWhat’s the difference between a colon and a semicolon, and why does it matter? For one thing, these forms of punctuation are a must for formal writing.
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12126 min12-part ESL course68 CQ
Strong spellers are not born that way—it takes patience! In this Rules of English spelling course, How to Spell explains the logic behind confusing spelling conventions.
with How to SpellStrong spellers are not born that way—it takes patience! In this Rules of English spelling course, How to Spell explains the logic behind confusing spelling conventions.
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12144 min12-part ESL course80 CQ
Improve your spelling by using strategies that build confidence, including seeing words within words, recognizing letter patterns, breaking words into syllables, and using prefixes and suffixes.
with How to SpellImprove your spelling by using strategies that build confidence, including seeing words within words, recognizing letter patterns, breaking words into syllables, and using prefixes and suffixes.
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7 minESL lesson4 CQ
“There,” “their,” and “they're” sound the same, but differ in spelling and meaning. Learn spelling strategies that will help you use these homophones correctly!
with How to Spell“There,” “their,” and “they're” sound the same, but differ in spelling and meaning. Learn spelling strategies that will help you use these homophones correctly!
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2 minFREEESL lessonFree2 CQ
Does reading improve spelling? In this lesson from How to Spell, learn about the differences between spelling and reading and get English spelling tips.
with How to SpellDoes reading improve spelling? In this lesson from How to Spell, learn about the differences between spelling and reading and get English spelling tips.
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3 minFREEESL lessonFree2 CQ
Why is English spelling so confusing? Borrowed words and very old words are partly to blame. Learn to love English spelling with a few historical facts!
with How to SpellWhy is English spelling so confusing? Borrowed words and very old words are partly to blame. Learn to love English spelling with a few historical facts!
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10126 min10-part Storytelling course68 CQ
This course provides tips for every step of the creative writing process to hook readers with strong opening lines, keep them reading with a powerful plot, and satisfy them with an effective ending.
with T. P. JaggerThis course provides tips for every step of the creative writing process to hook readers with strong opening lines, keep them reading with a powerful plot, and satisfy them with an effective ending.
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12132 min12-part Grammar course73 CQ
Clear writing matters because ideas matter! In this comprehensive writing course, learn about brevity, style, grammar, tone, and structure, and use a rubric to evaluate your own writing.
with Stuart Mill EnglishClear writing matters because ideas matter! In this comprehensive writing course, learn about brevity, style, grammar, tone, and structure, and use a rubric to evaluate your own writing.
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22 minFREEStorytelling courseFree12 CQ
In this conversation, Jeff Hobbs, author of "The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace," shares the process of writing the nonfiction book about his friend.
with Jeff HobbsIn this conversation, Jeff Hobbs, author of "The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace," shares the process of writing the nonfiction book about his friend.
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414 min4-part Grammar course9 CQ
Understand the sentence-level grammar we use to write and speak every day, focusing on punctuation, sentence structure, and parts of speech. These concepts will build your skill as a writer or editor!
with Ben DavisUnderstand the sentence-level grammar we use to write and speak every day, focusing on punctuation, sentence structure, and parts of speech. These concepts will build your skill as a writer or editor!
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10118 min10-part ESL course61 CQ
Punctuation adds clarity, complexity, and rhythm to writing. We also depend on it to create meaning, and to make writing easier to read. In this course from How to Spell, make punctuation your friend!
with How to SpellPunctuation adds clarity, complexity, and rhythm to writing. We also depend on it to create meaning, and to make writing easier to read. In this course from How to Spell, make punctuation your friend!
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12126 min12-part ESL course68 CQ
Strong spellers are not born that way—it takes patience! In this Rules of English spelling course, How to Spell explains the logic behind confusing spelling conventions.
with How to SpellStrong spellers are not born that way—it takes patience! In this Rules of English spelling course, How to Spell explains the logic behind confusing spelling conventions.
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23153 min23-part ESL course88 CQ
Are you looking for a way to learn or review basic English grammar? In this course, Your English Web introduces the structure of English, from forming the present tense to using correct word order.
with Your English WebAre you looking for a way to learn or review basic English grammar? In this course, Your English Web introduces the structure of English, from forming the present tense to using correct word order.
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1293 min12-part ESL course54 CQ
English is the lingua franca of the business world, but misunderstandings are common. This course covers basic guidelines of business English, and offers tips for dealing with communication barriers.
with Rich Walton EnglishEnglish is the lingua franca of the business world, but misunderstandings are common. This course covers basic guidelines of business English, and offers tips for dealing with communication barriers.
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30180 min30-part ESL course103 CQ
Are you proficient in English but finding certain expressions and grammar difficult to master? Using simple everyday examples, this course explains topics that ESL students often find tricky.
with Your English WebAre you proficient in English but finding certain expressions and grammar difficult to master? Using simple everyday examples, this course explains topics that ESL students often find tricky.
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1098 min10-part ESL course56 CQ
This ESL course from experienced English teacher Kat addresses some of the most common errors made by people learning English, even advanced students. Learn to speak English like a native speaker!
with KatThis ESL course from experienced English teacher Kat addresses some of the most common errors made by people learning English, even advanced students. Learn to speak English like a native speaker!
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12132 min12-part Grammar course73 CQ
Clear writing matters because ideas matter! In this comprehensive writing course, learn about brevity, style, grammar, tone, and structure, and use a rubric to evaluate your own writing.
with Stuart Mill EnglishClear writing matters because ideas matter! In this comprehensive writing course, learn about brevity, style, grammar, tone, and structure, and use a rubric to evaluate your own writing.
-
23153 min23-part ESL course88 CQ
Are you looking for a way to learn or review basic English grammar? In this course, Your English Web introduces the structure of English, from forming the present tense to using correct word order.
with Your English WebAre you looking for a way to learn or review basic English grammar? In this course, Your English Web introduces the structure of English, from forming the present tense to using correct word order.
-
414 min4-part Grammar course9 CQ
Understand the sentence-level grammar we use to write and speak every day, focusing on punctuation, sentence structure, and parts of speech. These concepts will build your skill as a writer or editor!
with Ben DavisUnderstand the sentence-level grammar we use to write and speak every day, focusing on punctuation, sentence structure, and parts of speech. These concepts will build your skill as a writer or editor!
-
1293 min12-part ESL course54 CQ
English is the lingua franca of the business world, but misunderstandings are common. This course covers basic guidelines of business English, and offers tips for dealing with communication barriers.
with Rich Walton EnglishEnglish is the lingua franca of the business world, but misunderstandings are common. This course covers basic guidelines of business English, and offers tips for dealing with communication barriers.
-
10118 min10-part ESL course61 CQ
Punctuation adds clarity, complexity, and rhythm to writing. We also depend on it to create meaning, and to make writing easier to read. In this course from How to Spell, make punctuation your friend!
with How to SpellPunctuation adds clarity, complexity, and rhythm to writing. We also depend on it to create meaning, and to make writing easier to read. In this course from How to Spell, make punctuation your friend!