ABOUT AUTHOR Elizabeth Ruiz Frost teaches legal research, writing and other courses at the University of Oregon School of Law. In the example described above, these two clauses could easily appear as 2 separate sentences. However, the semicolon allows the reader to clearly see the connection between them. Don`t make the mistake of simply separating these types of clauses with a comma. In addition to interrupting the flow of the sentence with false punctuation, you also turn the statement into a break-in phrase. Rule of thumb, separate hyphens, connecting hyphens. When typing a word, a hyphen consists of two hyphens (– –). Newer versions of Word usually combine them in a hyphen (—). Punctuation is a component of writing that people rarely think about or notice, except when it`s wrong. At worst, misused punctuation marks — commas, semicolons, quotation marks, and the like — can confuse the meaning of your sentences and leave your reader confused and frustrated. Even less glaring mistakes, such as a missing or misplaced apostrophe, can make your written work look like carelessness and lack of attention.
Hyphens can be used anywhere commas would trigger a sentence. They don`t just need to be reserved for lists in the middle of the sentence, although they are very dramatic there. Here`s an example: To get the hyphen in Word, type two hyphens, leaving no spaces on each side. Word should automatically convert this to a dash. If you place a space before and after the hyphens, Word converts it to a hyphen, which is the wrong marker. (Yet so many authors use spaces that the shortest hyphen is ubiquitous, even if technically incorrect.) Exposing this middle text with the hyphen highlights the text in a way that may not be possible with commas. A dash can also be used to put text at the end of a sentence, creating the same dramatic effect: most people who don`t know when to use semicolons simply take the safe route and avoid using them all together. However, a semicolon can be used as an effective link between two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning and value.
Hyphens are used to indicate a range, or instead of parentheses to indicate that information has been inserted into a sentence. Hyphens are only used in informal scripts; Instead, use parentheses, commas, or colons in academic and business writing. Do not put spaces before or after a hyphen. It indicates a range of values (1880–1912, 116 Cal. App. 4th 330–39, exhibits A–E). If you open with , associate it with instead of a hyphen (from 1880 to 1912, not from 1880 to 1912). Professor Garner gives you the keys to making the most of your writing skills – in letters, memos, briefings, and more. The seminar covers five essential skills for persuasive writing: Do not use a forward slash ( / ) where a hyphen is correct.
However, in a legal document, everything must be in its place. Here are five tips to keep in mind and follow to make sure you properly drill through your legal documents, memos, case files, letters, and other forms of paperwork. You can distinguish a hyphen from its En Dash brethren because it`s the longest hyphen (and both are longer than a hyphen). Some style guides, such as the AP style manual, require a space before and after the hyphen. But other guides — for example, the Chicago Manual of Style — don`t include before or after spaces. At the risk of getting too technical to create a hyphen with a word processor, simply type two hyphens and the next word without spaces. The program converts both hyphens to hyphens. You can also insert it as a symbol. It may seem tedious and time-consuming to master the placement and correct use of punctuation in the standard legal document. However, it`s important to note that you can seriously compromise the quality of your documentation if you don`t.
Correct punctuation helps structure your document and improve the quality of actual content. Perhaps a trade-off to save time without sacrificing quality is to use a legal document format or custom template to help you navigate common legal forms, memos, and other forms of documentation. Whichever specific approach you choose, make sure proper punctuation is a top priority. If words are omitted at the end of the quoted sentence, the ALWD Guide and Bluebook ask authors to insert an ellipse before the last punctuation of the sentence. Non-legal style guides differ in this regard. MLA complies with legal citation guidelines and requires ellipses. But Chicago Manual of Style allows authors to omit ellipses. Here is an example, also with Kennedy`s inaugural address: Then a hyphen can replace the parentheses.
But parentheses and dashes serve almost opposite purposes, so they must be used strategically. The parentheses indicate a smaller page than the rest of the sentence.