THE TOOLKIT
Verbal Punctuation
Verbal punctuation ends complete thoughts and makes you sound decisive, competent, and organized. When you don’t use verbal punctuation, you either connect several complete thoughts into one long statement as in the first example. As such, it sounds like a long, run-on sentence. Or, if you use incorrect verbal punctuation, you can be giving the wrong message altogether as in the second example.
Example One: No Punctuation vs. Punctuation
No Punctuation
- We should really take a look at our new line and …
- I think it has a lot of creative components to it and …
- It will stand out amongst our competitors so …
- I’m looking forward to having everyone approve it today okay and …
- If anyone has any questions, I’ll be happy to answer them, so …
Punctuated
- We should take a look at our new line.
- It has a lot of creative components.
- It will stand out amongst our competition.
- I’m looking forward to having it approved by everyone today.
- If there are any questions, I’ll be happy to answer them.
Example Two: Mispunctuation
Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever happy – will you let me be yours? Gloria
Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart, I can be forever happy – will you let me be? Yours, Gloria