Punctuation

1. Commas

• insert where reader needs a pause

• Bad: pasting two independent thoughts with comma.

• Bad:

Samantha is a wonderful coder, she writes abundant tests.

• Good:

Samantha is a wonderful coder. She writes abundant tests.

2. Semicolon

• unites highly related thoughts.
• period distincts thoughts
• preceding and following thoughts must be gramatically correct sentences
• flip and chec if both sentences are still valid

3. Em-Dashes

• longer pause that comma

• C++ is a rich language—one requiring extensive experience to master.

4. Parentheses

• informs reader enclosed text is not crucial
• Standards:
• if entire sentence in parenthesis, period inside
• else, outside