
audiobook
A practical guide to the art of punctuation, this handbook offers clear, timeless rules for anyone who writes—whether crafting a business letter, a school essay, or a literary piece. Drawing on examples from classic English works, it shows how the best writers employ commas, periods, capitals and italics to shape meaning and avoid costly misunderstandings. The author also highlights the occasional disagreements even seasoned authors have about punctuation, reminding readers that some conventions are flexible while others are essential.
Beyond theory, the book provides concrete advice for teachers and students, suggesting hands‑on exercises that let learners punctuate their own writing before copying others’ work. It stresses the importance of teaching punctuation alongside spelling and grammar, arguing that clear marks are the backbone of effective communication. With straightforward explanations and real‑world illustrations, the volume equips readers to write with confidence and precision.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (131K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
New York: A. S. Barnes & Co., 1878.
Credits
Charlene Taylor and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2023-12-22
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1846–1901
Best known for practical late-19th-century guides on punctuation and civics, this teacher-writer aimed to make clear writing and public knowledge easier to learn. His surviving books still feel straightforward and useful, especially for readers curious about how English was taught in that era.
View all books
by Paul Allardyce

by William Livingston Klein

by Frederick W. (Frederick William) Hamilton

by Frederick W. (Frederick William) Hamilton

by F. Horace (Francis Horace) Teall

by John Wilson

by United States. Government Printing Office

by George Saintsbury