Presenting Our Stories: Common Punctuation Pitfalls

A practical guide to punctuation writers often second-guess

Why Punctuation Matters More Than It Seems

Punctuation does more than enforce rules. It shapes pacing, emphasis, and clarity, guiding readers through sentences the way pauses and tone guide spoken conversation.

Many writers reach the final stages of revision feeling confident about their story but uncertain about punctuation choices.

Questions arise:

• Should this be a comma or a semicolon?

• Am I using em dashes too often?

• Why does dialogue punctuation still feel confusing?

These uncertainties are extremely common. This guide focuses on a few punctuation marks writers most often second-guess, offering simple explanations and examples you can reference during revision.