Punctuation

Punctuation refers to the symbols used in writing to replace the pauses, emphasis, stress and intonation which clarify speech.

Punctuation breaks up writing into understandable grammatical chunks and tells the reader where there are pauses, questions, clauses and sentences.

Incorrect punctuation can obscure or change the meaning of words, while correct and thoughtful punctuation can clarify and explain.

The following example is taken from a competition held by the BBC to show Christmas thank you letters and how their meaning might change with different punctuation.

Dear Santa,
You really made my year! When I heard you had fallen from your sleigh, I was sad. To see such wonderful gifts lined up under my Christmas tree, my eyes lit up. When I unwrapped your gifts I knew that the spirit of Christmas was still alive. It was terrible hearing about your accident. The best piece of news all year is your safe return. Things yet to come, you say! Christmas is a time to love and share, I disagree with Scrooges. Everywhere Christmas is slowly fading. Thanks for making it so fantastic.
Matt

Dear Santa,
You really made my year when I heard you had fallen from your sleigh! I was sad to see such wonderful gifts lined up under my Christmas tree. My eyes lit up when I unwrapped your gifts. I knew the spirit of Christmas was still alive - it was terrible. Hearing about your accident? The best piece of news all year. Is your safe return a sign of things yet to come? You say Christmas is a time to love and share, I disagree. With Scrooges everywhere, Christmas is slowly fading. Thanks for making it so. Fantastic.
Matt.
Matt Hurst, Southampton

Here are the five best entries given in full.