ACT Compass Writing

ACT Compass Writing focuses on developing essential writing skills for standardized testing and academic success.

Basic Concepts

Punctuation and Mechanics

The Power of Punctuation

Punctuation marks are like road signs for your writing—they tell readers when to pause, stop, or get excited!

Essential Punctuation Marks

  • Periods (.) end sentences.
  • Commas (,) separate items or clauses.
  • Apostrophes (') show possession or contractions.
  • Quotation marks ("") show what someone said.

Mechanics Matter

Capitalization, spelling, and formatting also help your writing look polished and professional.

Everyday Uses

From texting friends to writing essays, using punctuation and mechanics correctly helps your message come across loud and clear.

Examples

  • Let's eat, Grandma! (Comma saves Grandma!)

  • It's raining outside. (Apostrophe for 'it is')

In a Nutshell

Punctuation and mechanics make your writing clear and easy to read.