For a bookmark-friendly version of this page, click here. Then bookmark this page.

Punctuation is Everything

Amazing what a couple commas and periods can do to a small bit of text. Which of these two letters would you rather receive? The words are identical in each. Only the punctuation varies from one version to the other. I think I got this from my mom.

gold square  gold square  gold square

Version #1

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

Version #2

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

Please note: This material was forwarded to me with no attribution to the actual author. If you know who created this list, please let me know so I can attribute it properly. Thanks.

“Fun Stuff” home page.

Handouts and articles for educators, counselors, parents and the general public.

Back

For a bookmark-friendly version of this page, click here. Then bookmark this page.

© 2008, Jane Bluestein, Ph.D., Instructional Support Services, Inc. Last updated on February 19, 2007 5:05 PM.