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Basic 5 · Ghanaian Language · Penmanship

Full Stop, Comma and Colon

In this topic you will recognise and use the full stop, the comma and the colon correctly in writing.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Identify the full stop, comma and colon
  • State the uses of each mark
  • Use them correctly in sentences

What you already know

  • Punctuation (Basic 4)

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Writing
Sub-strand
Penmanship
Indicator
B5.3.1.1.1-3 – Recognize the use of full stops comma and colon

Introduction

Punctuation marks are like road signs for readers. They tell us where to stop, where to pause and what is coming next. Without them, writing is confusing.

1. The Full Stop (.)

A full stop marks the end of a statement. It tells the reader to stop. It is also used after some abbreviations.

Example: Kofi went to the farm.

2. The Comma (,)

Uses of the comma
UseExample
to separate items in a listWe bought yam, plantain, cassava and pepper.
after an introductory word or phraseYesterday, it rained heavily.
before the name of the person spoken toAma, come here.
to separate parts of a long sentenceWhen the bell rang, the pupils lined up.
in direct speechMother said, "Sweep the compound."

3. The Colon (:)

Uses of the colon
UseExample
to introduce a listBring these items: a cutlass, a hoe and a basket.
to introduce an explanationWe stayed at home: the road was flooded.
in timeThe meeting starts at 9:30.
before a speaker's words in a playKofi: Where are you going?
Punctuation marks shown as road signs
Figure 1: Punctuation as road signs Draw the three marks as road signs.Illustration: Sirbus

4. Practice

Example

Punctuate: "my mother sells kenkey fish and pepper at the market"

  1. Begin with a capital letter: My
  2. Separate the list with commas: kenkey, fish and pepper
  3. End with a full stop.

Answer: My mother sells kenkey, fish and pepper at the market.

Example

Punctuate: "you need three things for school pencil eraser and ruler"

  1. Capital letter: You
  2. Colon before the list: school:
  3. Commas in the list and a full stop at the end.

Answer: You need three things for school: a pencil, an eraser and a ruler.

These marks are used in the same way in most Ghanaian languages. Practise writing sentences in your Ghanaian language with each mark.

New words

punctuation
Marks that make writing clear.
full stop
A mark (.) that ends a statement.
comma
A mark (,) that shows a short pause.
colon
A mark (:) that introduces a list or explanation.
statement
A sentence that gives information.
abbreviation
A shortened form of a word.

Summary

  • A full stop ends a statement.
  • A comma separates items in a list and shows a pause.
  • A colon introduces a list, an explanation or speech in a play.
  • Correct punctuation makes writing clear.

Class activity: Punctuation Repair

  1. Your teacher gives sentences in your Ghanaian language without punctuation.
  2. Add full stops, commas and colons.
  3. Check your answers with another pair.

You need: Locally made punctuation cards, Sentence strips about local life, Exercise books, Pencils

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Which mark ends a statement?

    • A. Full stop
    • B. Comma
    • C. Colon
    • D. Question mark
    Show answer
    Answer: Full stopIt means stop.

  2. 2. Which mark introduces a list?

    • A. Colon
    • B. Full stop
    • C. Comma only
    • D. Question mark
    Show answer
    Answer: Colone.g. items: a, b and c.

  3. 3. Which sentence uses commas correctly?

    • A. We bought yam, plantain and pepper.
    • B. We, bought yam plantain and pepper.
    • C. We bought, yam plantain, and pepper
    • D. We bought yam plantain and, pepper.
    Show answer
    Answer: We bought yam, plantain and pepper.Commas separate list items.

  4. 4. A comma shows a short pause.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueShorter than a full stop.

  5. 5. A colon is used at the end of every sentence.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: FalseA full stop is.

  6. 6. In time, we write 9 ______ 30 using a colon.

    Show answer
    Answer: :9:30.

  7. 7. Punctuate: "bring the following a bucket a broom and a cloth"

    Show answer
    Answer: Bring the following: a bucket, a broom and a cloth.Colon and commas.

  8. 8. Give two uses of the comma with examples.

    Show answer
    Answer: Separating list items (yam, plantain and pepper); after an introductory word (Yesterday, it rained).Any two.

Homework

  1. Write five sentences in your Ghanaian language using full stops, commas and colons.