NUM8ERS SAT Writing and Language: Deep Dive into Conventions of Punctuation

If you’re preparing for the SAT and aiming to excel in the Writing and Language section, understanding punctuation is crucial. This section is the third and final part of the Standard English Conventions subtopic. Proper punctuation is key to clear, effective writing, and the SAT tests your ability to use punctuation correctly in various contexts.

Before diving into punctuation, it’s beneficial to have a strong grasp of sentence structure and conventions of usage, which are the other two components of Standard English Conventions. With that foundation, you’re ready to master punctuation.

Understanding SAT Writing and Language: Punctuation

Punctuation in the SAT Writing and Language section focuses on the correct use of punctuation marks within sentences and at the end of sentences. We’ll break this down into six essential rules that the College Board highlights, ensuring you understand how to apply each in your writing.

1. End-of-Sentence Punctuation

What the College Board Says: You need to use the correct form of ending punctuation (period, question mark, or exclamation point) based on the context and the writer’s intent.

Explanation: End-of-sentence punctuation signals the conclusion of a thought. The punctuation you choose depends on the type of sentence:

• Period (.): Used for declarative sentences, which are statements that provide information or express an idea.
  • Example: “The earth orbits the sun.”
• Question Mark (?): Used for interrogative sentences, which ask a question.
  • Example: “What is the capital of France?”
• Exclamation Point (!): Used for exclamatory sentences, which express strong emotion or emphasis.
  • Example: “Watch out for that car!”

Practice Example:

• Original Sentence: The Grand Canyon is one of the most stunning natural wonders of the world.
• Options:
  • (A) NO CHANGE
  • (B) The Grand Canyon is one of the most stunning natural wonders of the world?
  • (C) The Grand Canyon is one of the most stunning natural wonders of the world!
  • (D) The Grand Canyon is one of the most stunning natural wonders of the world.

Correct Answer: (A) NO CHANGE. A period is the correct punctuation for this declarative sentence.

Key Takeaway: Always match your punctuation to the sentence type—use a period for statements, a question mark for questions, and an exclamation point for strong emotions.

2. Within-Sentence Punctuation

What the College Board Says: Correctly use and recognize the proper use of colons, semicolons, and dashes within sentences.

Explanation: Punctuation within sentences can be complex, as different marks serve different purposes:

• Semicolon (;): Used to connect two closely related independent clauses. An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence.
  • Example: “She loves reading; her favorite genre is mystery.”
• Colon (:): Used after an independent clause to introduce a list, explanation, or quotation.
  • Example: “There are three things you need: patience, perseverance, and passion.”
• Dash (—): Used to add emphasis, insert an explanation, or set off non-essential information.
  • Example: “He was faced with a choice—a difficult one.”

Practice Example:

• Original Sentence: The recipe calls for three ingredients__ eggs, flour, and sugar.
• Options:
  • (A) NO CHANGE
  • (B) The recipe calls for three ingredients; eggs, flour, and sugar.
  • (C) The recipe calls for three ingredients: eggs, flour, and sugar.
  • (D) The recipe calls for three ingredients—eggs, flour, and sugar.

Correct Answer: (C) The recipe calls for three ingredients: eggs, flour, and sugar. A colon is correct because it introduces a list.

Key Takeaway: Use semicolons to connect related independent clauses, colons to introduce lists or explanations, and dashes to emphasize or insert non-essential information.

3. Possessive Nouns and Pronouns

What the College Board Says: Recognize and correct the misuse of possessive nouns and pronouns, and decide between plural and possessive forms.

Explanation: Possessive nouns and pronouns indicate ownership. The placement of apostrophes is critical:

• Possessive Noun: Indicates that something belongs to someone or something. An apostrophe is used.
  • Example: “The cat’s whiskers are long.”
• Plural Noun: Indicates more than one person or thing. No apostrophe is used.
  • Example: “The cats are playing.”
• Possessive Pronouns: Do not require an apostrophe (e.g., its, yours, theirs).
  • Example: “The dog wagged its tail.”

Practice Example:

• Original Sentence: The dogs bone was buried in the backyard.
• Options:
  • (A) NO CHANGE
  • (B) dog’s bone
  • (C) dogs’ bone
  • (D) dogs bone

Correct Answer: (B) dog’s bone. The apostrophe shows that the bone belongs to the dog.

Key Takeaway: Use apostrophes to indicate possession. Plural nouns do not take apostrophes unless they are also possessive.

4. Items in a Series

What the College Board Says: Use commas and sometimes semicolons to separate elements in lists.

Explanation: When listing items, commas are typically used to separate each item. However, semicolons are used when the list items themselves contain commas.

• Commas in a Simple List: Separate items with commas.
  • Example: “I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.”
• Semicolons in a Complex List: Use semicolons to separate items if the items themselves have commas.
  • Example: “The conference included speakers from Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; and Tokyo, Japan.”

Practice Example:

• Original Sentence: The class was asked to read Moby Dick, write an essay, and present their findings.
• Options:
  • (A) NO CHANGE
  • (B) Moby Dick; write an essay; and present their findings.
  • (C) Moby Dick, write an essay and present their findings.
  • (D) Moby Dick; write an essay, and present their findings.

Correct Answer: (A) NO CHANGE. Commas correctly separate the items in this simple list.

Key Takeaway: Use commas to separate items in a simple list, and semicolons to separate items in a complex list where the items themselves contain commas.

5. Nonrestrictive and Parenthetical Elements

What the College Board Says: Use punctuation to set off nonessential elements and correct cases where punctuation is incorrectly used to set off essential elements.

Explanation: Nonrestrictive elements are parts of a sentence that add extra information but are not essential to the sentence’s main meaning. These elements should be set off with commas, dashes, or parentheses.

• Nonrestrictive Clause: Provides additional information but is not essential.
  • Example: “The house, which was built in 1920, is still standing.”
• Restrictive Clause: Provides essential information and should not be set off with commas.
  • Example: “The house that was built in 1920 is still standing.”

Practice Example:

• Original Sentence: The book which I borrowed from the library was fascinating.
• Options:
  • (A) NO CHANGE
  • (B) The book, which I borrowed from the library, was fascinating.
  • (C) The book—which I borrowed from the library—was fascinating.
  • (D) The book, which I borrowed from the library was fascinating.

Correct Answer: (B) The book, which I borrowed from the library, was fascinating. The clause “which I borrowed from the library” is nonrestrictive and should be set off with commas.

Key Takeaway: Use commas, dashes, or parentheses to set off nonessential elements that add extra information but are not critical to the main meaning of the sentence.

6. Unnecessary Punctuation

What the College Board Says: Recognize and eliminate unneeded punctuation.

Explanation: Sometimes, punctuation marks are added where they are not needed, which can confuse the reader. The goal is to remove unnecessary punctuation to ensure clarity.

• Example of Unnecessary Comma: “She ran to the store, and bought milk.”
  • Corrected Sentence: “She ran to the store and bought milk.”

Practice Example:

• Original Sentence: The children played outside, until it started to rain.
• Options:
  • (A) NO CHANGE
  • (B) The children, played outside until it started to rain.
  • (C) The children played outside until it started to rain.
  • (D) The children played, outside until it started to rain.

Correct Answer: (C) The children played outside until it started to rain. The comma is unnecessary and should be removed for clarity.

Key Takeaway: Avoid adding unnecessary punctuation that can make sentences awkward or unclear.

Conclusion: Mastering Conventions of Punctuation for the SAT

Understanding and correctly applying punctuation is essential for success in the SAT Writing and Language section. By mastering end-of-sentence punctuation, within-sentence punctuation, possessive nouns and pronouns, items in a series, nonrestrictive and parenthetical elements, and avoiding unnecessary punctuation, you’ll significantly improve your writing clarity and effectiveness.

Take your time to practice these concepts with real SAT questions, and revisit the rules whenever necessary. As you continue to refine your skills, you’ll build the confidence needed to excel in this section of the SAT. With dedication and practice, you’re well on your way to achieving a high score. Good luck!

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