In the “Politics of Words”, a grammar guide, we have learned of Alphabet land, where the letters form into words and words form into pages. With the rules of grammar as our guide, we can shape the land of letters into a readable document.
In prior lessons, we have learned of letters and words, their myths and society. But If grammar rules the land than who passes judgment and enforces the rules?
Punctuation is the Judge
Every form of government has a series of checks and balances to keep the scales of justice in place. The American Federal Government levels it’s scales with three branches; the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. Congress, as the legislative branch, creates the ideas to shape the country’s laws. The President, as the Executive branch, chooses to place his seal of approval and enact Congress’ ideas. But the supreme court, as the Judicial branch, ends the debate over what is allowable by law under the United States constitution.
Like the Judaical branch, End Punctuation passes judgment over a sentence. The aim of a sentence is to convey a complete thought. “The Politics of Words” began on the premise, “I am.” is a complete sentence with a subject and an action, but “I am.” is not a complete sentence until you end it with a period. End Punctuation tells us a group of words is a complete thought with at least a subject and an action.
While a writer can display their emotion with words, the subtle use and knowledge of End Punctuation can add a dash of spice to a mundane manuscript. End Punctuation comes in three forms; the Period, Question mark, and Exclamation point. With the three forms of End Punctuation, a writer can display not only her thought but also her intent. Like the Judges, the three forms of End Punctuation fall into two categories, Bipartisan and Activist.
Bipartisan Judges
The Period knows his job is to separate complete thoughts. Like a Bipartisan judge, he knows to level the playing field not add debate. He also understands executive decision. He holds the power to speed up a sentence and can be found at the end of abbreviations, initials, and in decimal points. Yet despite his many roles, he knows the root of his job is the same, to separate complete thought.
In abbreviations, he takes the place of the other letters; I.E. Ms., Mr., and MGT.* In Initials, he takes the place of a name; Wesley A. Bride, I.P. Daily, and Hunter S. Thompson. In decimal points, he represents the change of thought from whole to halves as $4.20 is 4 dollars and 20 cents with the period as the separation between dollars and cents.
For his King Solomon like reason, the Period is the most often used form of End Punctuation.
The cat shat in the hat.
The idea of cannabis prohibition is insane.
Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style is the best book on grammar.
Alternatively, some instances call for the actions of an Activist Judge and some sentences need more than a period.
Activist Judges
Question marks and Exclamation points are who you turn too when you need more than a dot. Unlike the period who denotes a complete thought, the Question mark and Exclamation point denote a complete thought and add emotion.
The Question Mark is applied to sentences that asks questions. While the Exclamation point is applied to sentences that show excitement. Like any activist judge, a little goes a long way. Keen writers keep a tight control over their use of question marks and all Exclamation points!
Can you blow me where the diapers are?
Which came first the music or the misery?**
The idea of cannabis prohibition is insane! – Notice how the exclamation mark changes the intent of the sentence.
End Punctuation is the end of the sentence but it is not the end of your document or this guide. Our use of End Punctuation will convey complete thought after complete thought, time and time again. The period will become your favorite. But isn’t variety the spice of life? You bet your sweet bippy it is!
Politics of Words Map
Join us next time for: “Karma Comma Chameleon”
Or go back to last time: “8 Parties of Speech”
Or check: “Politics of Words: Table of Contents”.
Bonus Binary
* If two periods meet at the same place on a page, send the second period home for the day.
** “High Fidelity” -Nick Hornby
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