(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Well as you can see from the title this a thread to teach you guys how to use proper punctuation and a few grammar points when you are debating. I will start with some very basic things that everyone I hope should know and then I will advance along to points that everyone needs to learn and I will give examples that might be in a debate with every point.
Let us begin. [multipage=Full stop]

Full stop

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Like I said I’ll start with the basics, everyone should know when to use full stops, it is basic punctuation you should learn in primary school.
You use full stops when:

It is the end of a sentence. (This is an example.)
• Indicating decimals. (50.5% of America are atheists)

Ok very basic punctuation that you should use. I do see quite a lot of people making a huge paragraph with no full stops or any punctuation to break it up. Remember always use capital letters after a full stop. [multipage=Comma]

Comma

[img] https://ochometutoring.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/comma.jpg[/img]

The comma is another basic bit of punctuation that will help make your point clearer and look better set out. The uses of the comma are as follows:

To split up adjectives or adverbs that are next to each other in a sentence. (My point is that it will be long, hard and time-consuming to demolish the cathedral)
• To add meaning, expand on the point, or break up the main topic or idea of the sentence. (That cathedral is old, but it is still functioning)
• The first word of a sentence that does not have a direct purpose and it is used to start the sentence. (However, I do think that cathedral takes up space)
• To prevent misreading the sentence. (To the old, cathedrals are a necessity)
• Before using a conjunction. (The cathedral maybe of use, but I don’t think it is needed anymore.
• In a list (The things that are good about the cathedral are: its heritage, its beautiful architecture, and its great views.)

The comma is a great bit of punctuation that just helps out in so many ways. We use it so often, but we also forget it a lot as well. [multipage=Colon]

Colon

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Colons are very common and are used often. They are good to see as long as they are used correctly because there are not many uses for it. The uses are:

At the end of a clause to start a list. (I think they should shut this factory down because: It is old, it is dysfunctional, and it is falling apart.)
• A restatement of the last clause. (The factory is falling apart: the walls are falling apart.)
• An elaboration of the last clause. (The factory is old: it was built in the 1960s)

As you can see it has some great uses as long as it isn’t put in the wrong places or overused. Otherwise include a colon.
[multipage=Semi-colon]

Semi-colon

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Semi-colons are a useful bit of punctuation but I rarely see them used. The uses are:

To separate a list instead of commas if commas are already used. (The things I like about the car are: its great handling; its sleek, silver frame; its speed; and its colour.)
• It is also used to make a pause that is longer than a comma but shorter than a pause. (The car looks very good; the design is amazing.)

The semi-colon may not have many uses but it is very effective when used in debates and shows you know how to use it and gives a feel of professionalism. [multipage=Apostrophe]

Apostrophe

[img]https://www.nationalpunctuationday.com/images/apostrophecartoon.jpg [/img]

Apostrophes are where I see the most mistakes made by you guys. I see wrong uses or apostrophes put in the wrong places, so hopefully this will sort the problem out. Due to the amount of problems I see I am going to do a when to use an apostrophe and when not to use an apostrophe.
When to use an apostrophe:

As a singular possessive. (The boy’s confidence was shattered)
• As a plural possessive. (The boys’ lost their confidence)
• Also to abbreviate words, but when debating I suggest not using abbreviated words just use the full words. (Do not use abbreviations = Don’t use abbreviations)

When not to use an apostrophe:

In a plural of a noun. WRONG (The boy’s were growing old) RIGHT (The boys were growing old)
• Place names that appear to be possessive. WRONG (Lion’s Bay is a beautiful place) RIGHT (Lions bay is a beautiful place)
• Public holidays that are possessive. WRONG (I do not think we should have Saint Patrick’s Day because that is my opinion) RIGHT (I do think we should have Saint Patricks Day because we get smashed)
• Making shortened forms of words plural WRONG (The RDI’s you have used are wrong) RIGHT (The RDIs you have used are right)

See these are things that you may not have known or may be unfamiliar with and I know a lot of people do get it wrong. If you take this in and post your apostrophe’s right, it will make you and your argument look better. [multipage=Paragraph]

Paragraph

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Now I know the picture may look a bit stupid but that is a perfect metaphor for how a good reply should be set out. Now you don’t need three points like the picture shows but the things that would make it look good are definitely a conclusion, at least one main point and in some cases an introduction. No one will really want to read a block of text nearly a page long because you will just get comments like “tl;dr” (for anyone who doesn’t know that is a bad forum way of saying “It is too long so I didn’t read it). I mean would you read something like this,

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It is too long to read without breaking it up with paragraphs. I know that isn’t a great example because it is a disclaimer, but there are posts like that. All you need to is when you have finished explaining a point or you are starting a new point just press “Enter” on your keyboard and maybe even press it twice and it will look even better. All it does is help make sure that people aren’t just staring at a wall of text thinking “I cannot be bothered reading this” [multipage=There, their, and they’re]

There, their, and they're

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I really hope that you did notice that all the uses of “their, there, and their” were wrong in that picture. If not do not worry that is what I am about to explain.
When to use there:

If you are referring to a place. (The buildings are over there, so why are we bothering)
• In use with the verb be. (There is a building here as well)

When to use their:

To indicate possession. (That is their building)

When to use they’re:

To abbreviate they are. (They’re knocking the building down)

I showed you when to use “they’re” but like I said earlier I discourage you from using abbreviations when debating because people don’t view it as well. However I do hope that has cleared up a lot for you and when to use there, their and they’re. [multipage=To, too, and two]

To, too, and two

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Mistakes made with these are not as common as with “there, they’re, and their”, but still some people do mix up the use of to and too. So here is when to use them.
When to use to:

As a preposition to a verb. (I am going to write this)
• As a preposition for position. (You are going to bed so you can write this)

When to use too:

It means also. (She wanted to write too)
• To indicate excessive amounts. (She has written too much)

When to use two:

As a number. (There are two people writing this)

I hope that will help some people who are unsure when to use which to or too, so I hope that will eradicate the problem[multipage=Your and you’re]

Your and you're

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Now this is a pretty easy point to finish off with, however I still see people making mistakes with it so I’ll cover it.
When to use your[/u]:

As a possessive form of you. (Your point is wrong)

When to use you’re[/u]:

As an abbreviation of you are. (You’re wrong)

I often see those two points getting mixed up so I hope that helps, but like before I discourage you from using the abbreviation, “you’re” because it doesn’t look as good as, “you are” [multipage=Extra points and conclusion]

Grammar lesson over!

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You can now rightfully wear this hat with pride, however just to finish off with some extra points.

Do not use smileys when debating
• Do not make everything multicoloured
• Do not verbally abuse other people because their point is different

If you have anything else to add, or you have questions and if have made any mistakes just put a comment in below. Also for tips on debating look at Drackos’ thread You must login or register to view this content.

Ahh sorry was rushing. Its just that some newbs cant even like read properly and miss half of it . It was a joke / sarcastic comment. There really wasn't such a big need to make such a big thread about punctuation - yes you put alot of effort into , but anybody over the age of 13 should be able to write correctly. Maybe you should add how to type , and how to proof read.Nevertheless you have put alot of effort into this , amazing :y: