Page 136 - SpringBoard_Writing_Workshop_Grade8_Flipbook

Activities 2.2, 2.3
Unit 2
Lesson: Punctuating Pauses, Breaks, and Omissions
Learning Targets
• Use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break. • Use ellipses to indicate an omission.
You can use punctuation to show a pause or break in thought or speech or to show where you have left out words in a quotation.
Showing a Pause or Break in Speech
Many commas set off or separate grammatical elements in sentences. When you read, you will often interpret such a comma as a pause.
Well, I am thinking about the problem.
For other kinds of pauses, you can use dashes and ellipses. Use an em dash (a long dash, as wide as an m, or two hyphens typed together) to show a sudden break in thought or speech:
Anyway, we could alphabetize the files and—are you even listening? When you get to the corner you’ll turn—hey, watch out for that cyclist!
Use ellipses (three spaced periods) to show thought or speech trailing off or pausing: I’m not sure I know the . . . um, could you repeat the question?
If the pause is at the end of a complete sentence or between two complete sentences, you should use the ellipses AND correct end punctuation for each sentence.
Let me think about it. . . . Honestly, I don’t think it will work.
Grammar Activities • Unit 2 1
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