Chapter Thirteen: Punctuation, Its hierarchy, and its Rhetorical Effects
In this chapter the main objective is to understand the purpose of the punctuation. In the A Linguistic Study of Amrican Punctuation by Charles F. Meyer he classifies the purpose of punctuation into three categories. These categories are syntactic, prosodic and semantic. These three categories have been introduced in previous chapters. Syntax is the structure of sentences. Prosody is the study of rhythm and intonation, semantics is the study of meaning.
Syntax is the structure of sentences. This means it will determine the punctuation marks that this sentence will contain. An example of a syntax is when a breathe is needed however there is no comma mark to issue a pause.
Prosody is the rhythm and intonation of a sentence. Writers revise sentences so that there is a rhythm pattern when read by readers. Prosody can also emphasis words and sentences. An example sentence from the book is “Often we revise a sentence…” In that sentence readers most like stress and emphasis the word often because the writer meant for it to be read in that way. Prosody also has much to do with the character of the writer. Each writer has his own style of writing and each writer would prefer his writing to be read in his style.
Semantics is punctuation used to change or impose on the meaning of the sentence. One example from the book that makes it clearer is: 1) the man sitting by the window is talking to himself. 2) My mother, sitting by the window, is talking to herself. In the first sentence we can presume that there is more than one person. However, the second phrases imposes that there is only one person.
A very important word that is used throughout the book and even on the title is the word Choices. Putting a coma, semi-colon, or colon can make a huge difference and this is what the book means by having choices. For example, “I loved the book, but I hated the movie” is different from “I loved the book; I hated the movie”. So if there is one important thing to learn from all the sections of the book it the ability to have choices and using different words and most important different punctuation.
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3 comments:
Punctuation has always been difficult for me but by reading your summary i have a better idea about what it is. Good job.
Puntuation has always been a tricki thing not because its hard but because but because i sometimes forget to put it. Its just a bad habbit of me.
It is ture one comma can change the entire meaning of the sentence and lead the reader to believe something else that you did not intend in the 1st place.
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