Student Writing Handbook Fifth+Edition

Punctuation / 427

Second, use a colon to introduce a formal list. Words such as the following or as fol-
lows frequently signal a formal list.

The attendant made the following checks on my car: oil level, transmission

fluid level, battery, tire pressure, and windshield washer fluid.

Third, use a colon to mean summary follows or explanation follows. The summary
or explanation may be a complete sentence.

The zoo faced a series of troubles: It lost accreditation, a keeper was attacked

by a lion, a visitor was bitten by a monkey, and the director was fired.

otHer Punctuation

Use a period at the end of a statement or after an abbreviation.

Dr. Ezra walked the hospital halls every evening.

Use an exclamation point to show excitement.

Watch out!

Use a question mark to ask a direct question.

Did you see the game last night?

Use an apostrophe to show ownership.

The reporter’s story missed few details. (singular possessive)

The two reporters’ stories each won journalistic awards. (plural possessive)

Her sister-in-law’s home was demolished in the tornado. (singular possessive)

Her sisters-in-law’s families are all safe. (plural possessive)

Use an apostrophe to show omission.

Ingrid can’t walk far in those high-heeled shoes.

The blizzard of ’86 was one for the records.

Use an apostrophe to show plurals of letters, signs, numbers, and words referred to
as words.

I think his last name has two z’s.

His 7 ’s look like 4 ’s to me.