ACTIVITY SHEET IN ENGLISH 9

Using Punctuation Marks and Capitalizations

I. Learning Competency with Code

Use appropriate punctuation marks and capitalizations. (EN9G-Ia-1.6/1.7))

II. Background Information for Learners

Effective communication relies heavily on the correct use of punctuation and capitalization.
Punctuation marks like periods, commas, semicolons, colons, question marks, and exclamation points
serve specific purposes, guiding the reader through your sentences and clarifying your meaning.
Capitalization signals the beginning of sentences and identifies proper nouns (names of people, places,
things, etc.). Mastering these skills is crucial for clear, precise, and professional writing in all contexts.
This lesson will provide a comprehensive review of these rules, followed by opportunities to apply your
knowledge.

COMMON PUNCTUATION MARKS AND THEIR BASIC USES

Period (.): Used at the end of declarative sentences.

Example: The cat sat on the mat.

Comma (,): Used to separate items in a list, to set off introductory phrases, and
in other situations to improve clarity.
Example: I bought apples, bananas, and oranges.

Question Mark (?): Used at the end of interrogative sentences.

Example: What time is it?

Exclamation Point (!): Used to express strong emotion.

Example: That's amazing!

Semicolon (;): Used to connect two closely related independent clauses.

Example: The rain was pouring; the streets were flooded.
Colon (:) Used to introduce a list or explanation.
Example: I need three things: milk, bread, and cheese.

Apostrophe ('): Used to show possession or contraction.

Example: The dog's bone; it's raining.

Quotation Marks (" "): Used to enclose direct quotations.

Example: She said, "Hello there!"
CAPITALIZATION RULES

Here's a breakdown of the key rules, categorized for easier understanding:

 Beginning of Sentences: Always capitalize the first word of a sentence.

This is the most fundamental rule.
 Proper Nouns:
- Names of people: John, Mary, Dr. Smith, President Biden
- Places: London, England, Mount Everest, the Pacific Ocean
- Days of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.
- Months of the year: January, February, March, etc.
- Holidays: Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah
- Organizations: United Nations, World Health Organization, Google
- Specific buildings or monuments: Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building,
the White
- House Nationalities and languages: American, Spanish, French
- Religions: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism
- Titles of people (when used with a name): Professor Jones, Queen
Elizabeth, Mr. Davis
- Titles of books, articles, songs, etc.: To Kill a Mockingbird, "The Star-
Spangled Banner" (Capitalize the first and last words, as well as all
principal words – nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs – within
the title. Articles (a, an, the), prepositions (of, in, to, etc.), and
conjunctions (and, but, or, etc.) are generally not capitalized unless
they are the first or last word of the title.)

 Titles (Formal Usage): - Capitalize the first word of a title, the last word,
and all principal words (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs). Do
not capitalize articles (a, an, the), prepositions, or conjunctions unless
they are the first or last word. This applies to books, articles, songs,
poems, etc.
 Pronouns: - The pronoun "I" is always capitalized. V. Acronyms and
Abbreviations: - Capitalize acronyms (NASA, FBI) and some abbreviations
(Mr., Mrs., Dr.).
 Other Considerations: - Beginning of quotations: Capitalize the first word
of a direct quote if it begins a sentence. - Emphasis (rare): Sometimes
capitalization is used for emphasis, but this is generally avoided in formal
writing. - Specific stylistic guides: Some style guides (such as APA, MLA,
Chicago) have specific capitalization rules that may vary slightly from
these general guidelines.

III. Accompanying DepEd Textbook and Education Sites

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/punctuation-capitalization/capitalization-rules/
https://www.towson.edu/writingcenter/ - Towson University. (n.d.). Towson University Brand
Toolkit. [Website]. Retrieved from https://www.towson.edu/brand/
Scribbr - Scribbr. (n.d.). https://www.scribbr.com/language-rules/capitalization-rules/ -
Scribbr. (n.d.). Capitalization in titles and headings. [Website]. Retrieved from
https://www.scribbr.com/academic-writing/capitalization-titles-headings/ - Scribbr. (n.d.).
Capitalize title: Title case vs. sentence case.

IV. Activity Proper

Linguistic Intelligence:

Activity: Write a short story or poem, focusing on correct punctuation and capitalization. They then edit
and revise each other's work, providing constructive feedback.

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence:

Activity: Create a chart or diagram that visually represents the rules of punctuation and capitalization.
You can use symbols, colors, and logical connections to illustrate the rules.

Spatial Intelligence:

Activity: Create a visual representation of a sentence with and without correct punctuation. They can use
different colors, fonts, or sizes to highlight the impact of correct punctuation on the meaning of the
sentence.

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence:

Activity: Act out sentences, using their bodies to represent punctuation marks. For example, a comma
could be a slight pause, a period a full stop, and an exclamation point a dramatic gesture.

Musical Intelligence:

Activity: Compose a short musical piece that reflects the rhythm and flow of a sentence with correct
punctuation. Different instruments or notes could represent different punctuation marks.

Interpersonal Intelligence:

Activity: Work in pairs or small groups to edit and revise each other's writing, focusing on punctuation
and capitalization. They provide constructive feedback and discuss their reasoning. -.

Intrapersonal Intelligence:

Activity: Reflect on their own writing habits and identify areas where they struggle with punctuation and
capitalization. They set personal goals for improvement and track their progress.

Naturalist Intelligence:

Activity: Observe and analyze how punctuation and capitalization are used in nature writing or scientific
texts. They identify how these elements contribute to clarity and precision in conveying information about
the natural world.
Existential Intelligence:

Activity: Discuss the importance of clear communication and how correct punctuation and capitalization
contribute to effective expression of ideas and understanding. They reflect on how these skills impact
their ability to connect with others and share their thoughts and feelings.

V. Reflection

Direction: Reflect on the following questions and write your response in your journal.

Head: What is something in the lesson that made you think?

Heart: How do you feel about the lesson presented?
Bin: Is there something in the lesson that you disagree with?
Bag: What are your “Takeaways” from the lesson?