If grammar is the backbone of language, then punctuation is its soul. Punctuation is a very important aspect of the written word yet it is almost always taken lightly. It is used to create clarity and sense in a sentence. It is very much like the pauses and changes in tones when speaking. The use of punctuation gives structure and organisation to writing.

In her book Eats, Shoots and Leaves, Lynne Truss laments the state of punctuation in the spheres where English is the first and dominant language. While it is peppered with humorous anecdotes of good and bad punctuation, Truss drives home the point the value of punctuation as an integral part of logic in language.

Have a look at this classic example:

Let’s eat Grandma.
Let’s eat, Grandma.

See how punctuation has made a huge difference in the intention and meaning of the sentence? In this case, punctuation saved Grandma’s life!

Even though punctuation may seem insignificant, those little dots and dashes can have tremendous impact on meaning. If we liken the slamming of a door to a punctuation mark, surely we want to be heard and understood as well in writing.