Full stops – known as “periods” to Americans – might seem like little more than a dot at the end of a sentence, a dot that signifies that the sentence has ended, but they are so much more. These “term-inators” tell us what type of sentence has just ended – two types, in fact. They are essential in crafting abbreviations: names, dates, titles, and more. They are used in number and currency references, among others. And they assist us in the art of crafting our sentences.  So let’s learn how we can lift our prose to the next level using these tiny dots.

Lesson type:             Writing

Video duration:        26 minutes

Handout:                    Yes

Writing exercise:      Yes

Published:                 October 2022

Most people call them “those little three-dot thingies”. Few know the official name: an ellipsis. These poorly understood pieces of punctuation have both a literary and an editorial role. They are especially helpful for genealogists who are quoting other material. So let’s explore the strange new world of the ellipsis.

Lesson type:             Writing

Video duration:        30 minutes

Handout:                    Yes

Writing exercise:      Yes

Published:                 October 2022

Exclamation marks do more than allow us to “exclaim” in our prose. They act as terminators for two different types of sentences. While they assist with the craft of writing, a well-placed exclamation mark helps with the art of writing. So join us as we interject and interrupt and otherwise make a loud literary presence.    

Lesson type:             Writing

Video duration:        20 minutes

Handout:                    Yes

Writing exercise:      Yes

Published:                 October 2022

Question marks can be a surprisingly helpful and powerful piece of punctuation.  Similarly to many of the other punctuation marks in the English language, they can assist us in more ways than we might think. They are used as literary devices and as editorial devices. As literary devices, they are used in direct questions, which require an answer, yet also in rhetorical questions, which don't. They can even communicate the speaker or writer's tone: interest, confusion, querulousness, sarcasm. So let’s learn how to use them to the best effect.

Lesson type:             Writing

Video duration:        34 minutes

Handout:                    Yes

Writing exercise:      Yes

Published:                 October 2022

Apostrophes are the most misused punctuation marks in the English language. Most punctuation humour reflects an apostrophe catastrophe. While these tiny hooks do not assist us in the art of writing, our ability to use them correctly saves us from looking like a literary idiot. So let’s learn when and when not to use them and how to position them correctly.  

Lesson type:             Writing

Video duration:        39 minutes

Handout:                    Yes

Writing exercise:      Yes

Published:                 October 2022

There are three “hyphen-like” punctuation marks in the English language, which surprises most English speakers. Not only do they play different roles in our prose, but the hyphen provides literary and typesetting functions. So let’s explore this little line to see when and how we should use it in our prose.    

Lesson type:             Writing

Video duration:        31 minutes

Handout:                    Yes

Writing exercise:      Yes

Published:                 October 2022

Punctuation was initially intended to assist with spoken language. A comma tells us when to pause in our speech –when to stop and take a breath. Thus, it controls the ebb and flow of our prose, the narrative pace. This is part of the art of writing. Commas also assist with the craft of writing. Where should or shouldn’t we place them? Their positioning can have a significant impact on the meaning of our prose, as well as contributing to its sophistication. So join us as we explore this surprisingly complex subject.   

Lesson type:             Writing

Video duration:        38 minutes

Handout:                    Yes

Writing exercise:      Yes

Published:                 October 2022

Two dots on top of each other: that’s all it seems to be. A punctuation mark that’s used to signify that a prose list or a bullet-point list is coming, a punctuation mark that merely assists us with the craft of writing. That’s about it, isn’t it?

Not at all. In fact, the most intriguing feature of a colon is its contribution to the art of writing. Join us as we learn about this surprisingly powerful and exciting piece of punctuation.

Lesson type:             Writing

Video duration:        27 minutes

Handout:                    Yes

Writing exercise:      Yes

Published:                 October 2022

A semicolon is a punctuation mark that most people rarely use in their prose. A comma or colon or rewrite can usually avoid its use. However, similarly to colons, it is a powerful writing tool if used carefully.  So let’s explore this surprisingly helpful piece of punctuation.

Lesson type:             Writing

Video duration:        30 minutes

Handout:                    Yes

Writing exercise:      Yes

Published:                 October 2022

60You might be surprised to know that we frequently use lists in our writing. As these can be punctuated with commas, colons or semicolons, the subject is being covered in a lesson in its own right. Yet lists not only reflect the craft of writing. There is an art to their use as well. So let’s discuss the different ways in which we can create lists in our prose.  

Lesson type:             Writing

Video duration:        60 minutes

Handout:                    Yes

Writing exercise:      Yes

Published:                 October 2022 

Parentheses, brackets, braces: three different terms. But what exactly do they refer to? Are they different words for the same thing? The answer is “Yes” and “No”. Sometimes they refer to the same piece of punctuation. Sometimes they don’t. Additionally, each of these punctuation marks can have multiple uses. So let’s examine these helpful literary bookends.

Lesson type:             Writing

Video duration:        46 minutes

Handout:                    Yes

Writing exercise:      Yes

Published:                 October 2022

(Lesson coming soon)

Lesson type:             Writing

Video duration:        ? minutes

Handout:                    Yes

Writing exercise:      Yes

Published:                 Coming in 2023

(Lesson coming soon)

Lesson type:             Writing

Video duration:        ? minutes

Handout:                    Yes

Writing exercise:      Yes

Published:                 Coming in 2023