Exercise 59.4 Writing using models of effective punctuation

EXERCISE 59.4

The following sentences use the punctuation marks presented in this chapter very effectively. Read the sentences carefully; then choose one, and use it as a model for writing a sentence of your own, making sure to use the punctuation marks in the same way in your sentence.

  1. The dad was—how can you put this gracefully?—a real blimp, a wide load, and the white polyester stretch-pants only emphasized the cargo.

    —GARRISON KEILLOR, “Happy to Be Here”

    Question

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    The dad was—how can you put this gracefully?—a real blimp, a wide load, and the white polyester stretch-pants only emphasized the cargo.—GARRISON KEILLOR, “Happy to Be Here”
  2. Not only are the distinctions we draw between male nature and female nature largely arbitrary and often pure superstition: they are completely beside the point.

    —BRIGID BROPHY, “Women”

    Question

    wZOATh69See2stQ39WWR6kfBEaL4HReIOV+GBDpNvYJGQi7FLfpkF5NQZs+vMsaQt0w+ducOmAeUTAmQ89SbRT/parVmSKzwmFltENm8dPQPdvQ8WhCFk10bjxQFTQBbIW9laS88Llp5er9AErWKQ+h92JzfuJaY7i2uzZorV+LFI2reOaGAS/uX+8EMYx9/wW1tsDGnI2J2Wktac7hLED4LTkCMMhybzTli9A4bVitmxVjqyyh07nrHW1jTMzFe66bLiYRR4v8cHAUQ0XcCpIaHM+Yh/9y+cFKAAiQD55RcHJx70fEI/oa2l4mrFSuKdVX2bRztiL5gwQkMU9s5rNUesxOyYWzQ4Os0MA==
    Not only are the distinctions we draw between male nature and female nature largely arbitrary and often pure superstition: they are completely beside the point.—BRIGID BROPHY, “Women”
  3. If no one, including you, liked the soup the first time round (and that’s why you’ve got so much left over), there is no point in freezing it for some hopeful future date when, miraculously, it will taste delicious. But bagging leftovers—say, stews—in single portions can be useful for those evenings when you’re eating alone.

    —NIGELLA LAWSON, How to Eat

    Question

    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
    If no one, including you, liked the soup the first time round (and that’s why you’ve got so much left over), there is no point in freezing it for some hopeful future date when, miraculously, it will taste delicious. But bagging leftovers—say, stews—in single portions can be useful for those evenings when you’re eating alone.—NIGELLA LAWSON, How to Eat