Punctuation, Part 1

In this post, I will be describing three topics that I read about in Rules for Writers about Punctuation. The referenced sections will be about what I believe that I can improve on within my own writing.

Varlan, Horian. "Punctuation marks made of puzzle pieces" 10/23/08 via Flickr. Attribution 2.0 Generic

1. Unnecessary commas-
• After reading this section, I have realized that a comma is not just a way to include a pause in your writing. What I have noticed was that I have a tendency to use a common incorrectly in a series and I also use a common to set off a concluding adverb clause. Not only this, but I also have a habit of using commas after a coordinating conjunction. I don't know how I obtained these habits, but I can only assume that it is because I am trying to follow the natural flow of reading with pauses included. 
2. The colon-
• I have never known how to actually use a colon, so I usually just never include them. However, I now realize that it can really improve my writing, especially because of my style. I know now that a colon can be used before a list or a appositive, which I use fairly often. From now own, I will try to practice more with the colon.
3. The dash-
• I've always like the look of the dash inside of a text, but I have never known how to use it. After reading this section, I realize that it can be used to place emphasis, and to introduce things such as a list, restatement or a dramatic shift in tone. I have a habit of using a comma to set off an appositive, but now I know that instead of using a comma, a dash can be used for the same thing! 

Reflection:

I reviewed both Mark and Clay's drafts of their Rhetorical Analyses. I definitely learned a lot about punctuation while looking them over. In Mark's draft, I noticed that he too had unnecessary commas in his draft just like I did. For example:
" By intimating this nuanced outlook on the GOP’s internal politicking, Bouie helps readers begin to understand his vision for what is happening within the Republican Party, and also helps slowly build into his implications..."

I feel that taking either of the commas out would be better. 

In Clay's draft, I saw that he used the colon effectively, so this helps me by giving me a reference of how to use it in my own writing. In his article was this quote:

" What makes his use of statistics especially powerful is that he includes three different types: shocking, evidential and minor."