One of the five things every complete sentence must have is terminal punctuation. But what is terminal punctuation? Terminal punctuation is the punctuation that comes at the end of a sentence. There are three different terminal punctuation marks that will be discussed in this article:
- Periods
- Question Marks
- Exclamation Points
Each of these terminal punctuation marks serves a different purpose and can be used to end a different type of complete sentence, however, what they all have in common is that they show readers where the end of a sentence is. This is important because readers process information from one sentence as a group. Without the terminal punctuation ideas and sentences would run together and make the writing very difficult for a reader to understand.
Periods
Periods are the workhorses of terminal punctuation marks. They are used extensively in literature, non-fiction, and other types of writing.
Periods are used to end declarative, indicative and imperative sentences that don't employ strong emotion. If a declarative, indicative or imperative sentence used strong emotion it would need a different type of terminal punctuation which will be discussed later in this article.
Examples of indicative and/or imperative sentences that end with periods:
- Jasmine, please shut the door.
- I didn't buy the blanket because it was too expensive.
- I'd like to go to the library today.
Question Marks
Question marks are exactly what they sound like. Question marks are the terminal punctuation that come at the end of interrogative sentences. Interrogative sentences always ask a question so it makes sense to use a question mark, and not a period, at the end of interrogative sentences.
If a sentence asks somebody something or is written with the expectation of being answered then the sentence should end with a question mark.
Examples of interrogative sentences that end with question marks:
- Did you get me a present for my birthday?
- Would you mind getting the door?
- Do you want to go to the library today?
Exclamation Points
The exclamation point is used to end sentences with strong emotion or emphasis. Exclamation points are used at the end of exclamatory sentences and interjections.
If a sentence expresses a lot of emotion, demands immediate attention, or is something that would be shouted if spoken aloud then the sentence should end with an exclamation point.
Examples of exclamatory sentences and interjections:
- Shut the door now!
- Call 911!
- It's just what I wanted!
Conclusion
The above mentioned rules for terminal punctuation apply to both fiction and non-fiction writing. To review:
- Periods end declarative, indicative and imperative sentences.
- Question marks end interrogative sentences.
- Exclamation points end exclamatory sentences and interjections.
By using the appropriate terminal punctuation marks writers are able to greatly increase a reader's comprehension of his or her ideas. Full stop punctuation marks like the period, question mark, and exclamation point show that an idea has been completed. Both writers and readers understand that everything between the capital letter beginning a sentence and the terminal punctuation ending a sentence goes together in some way. By providing this visual clue to readers, writers are able to more easily make their ideas understood.
Resources for Learning How to Use Terminal Punctuation
The Deluxe Transitive Vampire: A Handbook of Grammar for the Innocent, the Eager, and the Doomed by Karen Elizabeth Gordon (Pantheon; August 10, 1993)
The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White (Longman; September 3, 1999)
Editor in Chief: Beginning from The Critical Thinking Company (Critical Thinking Co; January 1, 1995)
Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss (Gotham; April 11, 2006)
Tracey Carter - Tracey holds a B.A. in English from Hood College and is an avid reader, educator, blogger, and aspiring librarian.
Join the Conversation