During this semester, I want
to focus on sentence structure, developing a voice and using commas and the
semi colon correctly. I am confident in my ability to convey the messages I want-but
knowing how and when to use the appropriate punctuation on were to pause or
show emphasis is tricky to me. A former professor of mine taught us that it was
okay to break the rules. To purposely make grammatical errors.
Showing Voice
[Example]:
“Third Row from the Back”
“HALLELUJAH!
OH CHURCH I DON’T THINK YA’LL HEAR! I SAID HALLELUJAH! NOW SEEEEE WITH THE
LAAAAAAAWWWD WE GOT THA VICTORY”. As Pastor Madison preached the good message,
the teenage girl sat back as the church was in a spiritual war. “TODAY THERE
WILL BREAK THRRREWWS!! TODAY GOOOOD IS GONNA DO IT!!!” Stomping and shouting,
filled the room, you would have thought tears of joy could be heard across the
room. Nothing in this moment make you want to sit down. Holy spirit vibrating
throughout the building. The girl could feel it tugging on her heart and yet
she sat there. Stoned face. “TODAY, EVERYDAY, WE GIVE GOD THE GLORY”! This was
the norm in a black church.
In this way I think the
text show more meaning that people are able to paint a picture with the text
make a stronger connection.
Commas
Aside from showing more
voice I also would like to grasp the concept of using commas and semi colons. In
grade school I was taught they were meant to break up list: a string of adjectives
if you will with and thrown in there to connect everything.
[Example]:
series of single words
cups, jars and, plates
saw, screamed and, cry
series of phrase/ clause groups
cups of sugar, jars of
honey and, plates of spaghetti
saw the mugging, screamed
loudly, cried about it
Semicolons
Semicolons are probably my
favorite kind of punctuation…just because of how funky the symbol looks (;) before taking this class I thought
their main use was for starting sentences with:
But;
However;
Or;
Most of the time in my
writing I try and use them to connect to different clauses or to tie in a
phrase to complete my thought. I am not entirely sure if that is right, 40/60
percent of the time I believe that I’m using it properly but I could be
mistaken. I honestly try to use it as much as possible because I think it help
connect a lot my thoughts and phrases together.
[Example]:
“Jay Smooth”
My understanding of Hip
Hop is limited. However; as Jay explained the different facets of Hip Hop he
described how the culture has evolved from the 90s. From rapping stories and
dropping political, and social justice knowledge, to an era now, that is
oversexualized trying to make a lot of fast money.
By the end of this semester
I believe my understanding of punctuation and how to use them will be at the
expert level because of learning them in different English standards.
