Grade 7 English SCIENCE AND HEALTH EDUCATION – WRITING:PUNCTUATION MARKS Notes
English — Writing: Punctuation Marks
Subject: Science & Health Education (examples in this topic) — Age: 12 (Kenya). These notes explain common punctuation marks and how to use them correctly in writing about science and health.
- Identify and name important punctuation marks.
- Use marks correctly in sentences about science and health.
- Avoid common punctuation mistakes when writing reports, notes or instructions.
What are punctuation marks?
Punctuation marks are symbols that help readers understand meaning, pauses and the structure of sentences. They are very important in clear science and health writing — for example, in lab notes, instructions, or health advice.
Common punctuation marks and how to use them
1. Full stop (.) — ends a statement.
Use: Finish a complete sentence.
Examples: Water boils at 100°C. — The nurse gave the child medicine.
2. Comma (,) — shows a short pause, separates items or clauses.
Use: List things, separate clauses, or after introductory words.
Examples: Wash your hands, use clean water, and cover wounds.
When you feel dizzy, tell the teacher.
3. Question mark (?) — ends a question.
Use: Ask about facts, instructions, or symptoms.
Examples: Do you have a fever? — How many tablets should I take?
4. Exclamation mark (!) — shows strong feeling or command.
Use: Give urgent warnings or show strong emotion. Use sparingly in scientific writing.
Examples: Stop! The chemical is dangerous. — What a big improvement!
5. Colon (:) — introduces a list, explanation or example.
Use: Before lists or to explain something.
Examples: Bring the following: notebook, pen, and lab coat.
The cause is simple: lack of clean water.
6. Semicolon (;) — links closely related sentences or separates complex list items.
Use: Join two sentences without using a conjunction; or separate items with commas.
Examples: She measured the temperature; the result was 37.2°C.
Students from Nairobi, Kenya; Mombasa, Kenya; and Kisumu, Kenya attended.
7. Quotation marks ("") — show exact words spoken, titles, or special phrases.
Use: For speech or to quote a source.
Example: The teacher said, "Wash your hands before meals."
8. Apostrophe (') — shows possession or forms contractions.
Use: To show something belongs to someone or to shorten words.
Examples: Doctor's advice (advice belonging to the doctor).
Don't touch the equipment.
9. Parentheses ( ) — add extra information or notes.
Use: Give additional details without breaking the sentence flow.
Example: Cholera (a water-borne disease) spreads fast in dirty water.
10. Hyphen (-) and Dash (—) — join words or show a pause.
Use: Hyphen joins compound words (e.g., well-being); dash adds a break or emphasis.
Examples: Age-related illnesses (hyphen).
Bring your ruler — you will need it for measurement. (dash)
11. Ellipsis (...) — shows missing words or a trailing thought.
Use: To show hesitation or omitted text.
Example: "I think the solution is..."
Quick tips and common mistakes
- Start sentences with a capital letter and end with the correct punctuation.
- Do not use a comma where a full stop should be. Two independent sentences need a full stop or semicolon.
- Use commas in lists to avoid confusion: salt, water, and sugar.
- In scientific writing, avoid too many exclamation marks — use them only for urgent warnings.
- Place punctuation marks (., ?, !) inside quotation marks if the quoted words are a complete sentence.
Short practice — use the correct punctuation
- wash your hands before eating
- What is the temperature of boiling water
- Bring a pen a ruler and a notebook
- The nurse said I must rest
- Danger the chemical is flammable
- Wash your hands before eating.
- What is the temperature of boiling water?
- Bring a pen, a ruler, and a notebook.
- The nurse said, "I must rest." OR The nurse said I must rest. (If reporting speech, use commas and quotation marks.)
- Danger! The chemical is flammable.
Activity for the classroom or at home
Write a short paragraph (4–6 sentences) about keeping a school garden healthy. Use at least five different punctuation marks from these notes. Swap with a friend and check each other's punctuation.
Good luck! Remember: clear punctuation helps people understand your science and health messages — and that can save lives.