Accurate punctuation

    AQA
    GCSE

    Punctuation serves as the structural framework of written communication, governing pacing, tone, and semantic clarity within the constraints of Assessment Objective 6 (AO6). Candidates must demonstrate command over sentence demarcation to prevent comma splices and run-on sentences, while deploying higher-level punctuation marks—semi-colons, colons, and parentheses—to manipulate rhythm and emphasis. Mastery requires the conscious selection of punctuation to shape the reader's experience, moving beyond mechanical correctness to stylistic precision.

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    Objectives
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    Exam Tips
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    Pitfalls
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    Key Terms
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    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Award marks for secure sentence demarcation; comma splices limit responses to Level 2 (Upper Band 2 requires secure demarcation).
    • Credit the use of a wide range of punctuation (colons, semi-colons, dashes, hyphens) only when used accurately.
    • Reward the deliberate use of punctuation to control pacing, tone, and emphasis (e.g., caesura, parenthetical dashes).
    • Penalise consistent errors in basic punctuation (capital letters, full stops) which impede communication.

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for secure sentence demarcation; comma splices limit responses to Level 2 (Upper Band 2 requires secure demarcation).
    • Credit the use of a wide range of punctuation (colons, semi-colons, dashes, hyphens) only when used accurately.
    • Reward the deliberate use of punctuation to control pacing, tone, and emphasis (e.g., caesura, parenthetical dashes).
    • Penalise consistent errors in basic punctuation (capital letters, full stops) which impede communication.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Proofread specifically for comma splices; if both sides of a comma could stand alone as sentences, change the comma to a full stop or semi-colon.
    • 💡Plan to use at least one colon and one semi-colon correctly to demonstrate 'range' for Level 4 criteria.
    • 💡Use dashes to create a conversational or urgent tone in transactional writing (Paper 2).
    • 💡Do not overuse exclamation marks; they lose impact and can lower the register of the response.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Comma splicing: Joining two independent clauses with a comma instead of a semi-colon or full stop.
    • Apostrophe misuse: Confusing pluralisation with possession (e.g., 'apple's' instead of 'apples') or 'its' vs 'it's'.
    • Semi-colon errors: Using semi-colons to introduce lists (incorrect) rather than separating independent clauses (correct).
    • Dialogue formatting: Failing to start a new paragraph for a new speaker, leading to structural confusion.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

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