RULES
Apostrophe

For plural nouns ending in s, add only an apostrophe.
For singular common nouns ending in s, add 's
For singular proper names ending in s, use only an apostrophe:
For singular proper names ending in s sounds such as x, ce, and z, use 's
For plurals of a single letter, add 's
Do not use 's for plurals of numbers or multiple letter combinations

EXAMPLES
the students' grades, states' rights
the hostess's invitation, the witness's answer
Brandeis’ mission
Marx's theories
She received all A's this semester.
the 1960s

RULES
Bullets

Capitalize the first word of a bullet point. Complete sentences are not required when using bullet points and periods are not required at the end of a bullet point, however always stay consistent with the use of punctuation.

EXAMPLES
Documents must be reviewed by:

The bureau director
The deputy secretary
The Office of Press and Communications).

RULES
Colon

Capitalize the first word after a colon only if it is a proper noun or
the start of a complete sentence.
Colons go outside quotation marks unless they are part of the
quoted material.

RULES
Comma

Don’t use a comma before a conjunction in a simple series.
Use a comma for a series that included elements containing and or or

EXAMPLES
The dinner choices were chicken, cod or beef.
The menu offered a choice of bacon and eggs, pancakes, or waffles.

RULES
Hyphen

Use hyphens to link all the words in a compound adjective.
Do not use a hyphen if the construction includes very or an adverb ending in –ly

EXAMPLES
“The five-volume report called for cleaning up the area over a 10-year period.”
a very big project, barely legal procedures

RULES
Parentheses

Avoid using parentheses when possible. If parentheses are required the rules are: If the parenthetical is a complete, independent sentence, place the period inside the parentheses; if not, the period goes outside.

RULES
Period

Use only one space after the end of a sentence. Period. Here’s why.

RULES
Quotation marks

Single quotation marks should be used only for a quote within a quote.
Do not use quotation marks for word emphasis.
The period and the comma always go within the quotation marks.
The dash, semicolon, question mark and exclamation point go within the quotation marks when they apply to the quoted matter only. They go outside when they apply to the whole sentence.

EXAMPLES
“The governor said he will ‘leave no stone unturned’ in the matter,” the director said.
“Did you wish to file a complaint?” he asked. Who said, "Fame means when your computer modem is broken, the repair guy comes out to your house a little faster"?

RULES
Semicolon

Use a semicolon to clarify a series that includes a number of commas. Include a semicolon before the conjunction.

EXAMPLES
Parts for the carrier are made in Tampa, Fla.; Austin, Texas; and Baton Rouge, La.

RULES
Spacing

Use only one space after the end of a sentence. Period. Here’s why.

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