Explains and illustrates some rarely explained and often underemphasized punctuation principles. (AEA)

Punctuation and capitalization are basic, surface features of written communication. However, it was not until the nineteenth century that authorities recognized that punctuation marks should be primarily an integral part of the sentence pattern, not an indicator of pauses. Throughout the literature on punctuation two major purposes recur--to…

Curriculum-based measures of written expression have traditionally used total words written or correct word sequences as indices of students' skill levels. This investigation attempted to determine whether additional hand-scored and computer-scored measures might share more variance with the criterion measures. The new measure, correct punctuation…

Reviews research on and recommends the use of computer-assisted instruction for remediation of grammar and punctuation skills. Gives recommendations for journalism schools planning to begin such a program. Presents guidelines for suitable computer software and reviews appropriate and inappropriate software. (SR)

Intended for preservice and inservice teachers at all educational levels, but especially for those in English education classes, this book examines the foundations of grammar instruction and supplies some definitions and examples of grammar usage. Part one of the book explores relevant language research, reasons for teaching grammar, the…

Discusses the collected research on free modifiers and "minor sentences," or "formal fragments." Asks English teachers for less concentration on initial placement of modifiers, less rigidity concerning fragments, and more practice with punctuating final free modifiers. (RL)