semicolons {;}
A semicolon is like movie and popcorn; they are great by themselves, but unbeatable when they get together.
Example:
- 3D CADD (Computer Aided Drafting and Design) is a computer program that allows the user to create just about anything three dimensionally; users can design anything from auto parts to entire buildings.
[From my About page]
colons {:}
A colon is like Christmas Eve: If you want to know what comes next, you have to wake up and open your presents on Christmas Day.
Example:
- The software side saw programs such as: SynthaVision solids software, which was the first commercial solid modeler program; GLIDE, which was a program developed for solving space planning problems; these and others were the pioneers of CAD.
[From my Profile page]
em dashes {—}
The em dash is like a side note — it goes off on a related tangent — and when it is done it ether goes back to the original topic, or finishes the clause.
Example:
- In 1997, AMD—now Dassault Systems—acquired a company that was founded in 1993, that company was the SolidWorks Corporation.
[From my Profile page]
parentheses {( )}
Parentheses are like the chocolate chips in cookies (which are my favorite); they aren’t the main ingredient in the recipe and could be made without them, however they usually make them better.
Example:
- In 1975, AMD (Avions Marcel Dassault) purchased a program from one of the leading aerospace companies; this program was called CADAM (Computer-Augmented Drafting and Manufacturing), and was one of the first to purchase the software.
[From my Profile page]
commas {,}
with additional clauses
Commas give you a chance to take a breath, before you finish your sentence. You might not need to take a breath, but sometimes it makes things more comfortable.
Example:
- In 1982, Autodesk was founded; they had a few different programs, but the one that put them on the map was AutoCAD.
[From my Profile page]
with parenthetical elements
Parenthetical commas are good for when you want to give just a little bit of information, which might not be needed, but give just a little bit more kick to the sentence.
Example:
- 3D printers can use a verity of different plastics to create solid models, and these models can have moving parts right out of the printer.
[From my second blog post]
with a series
A comma, gives more definition to listed items in a sentence. If you need to give more information about an item, you would use a semicolon and then give the added description.
Example:
- CAD is used in industries like the Aerospace industry, it utilizes CAD software to design things like: space vehicles, satellites, aircraft, missiles, and just about anything you could think of.
[From my Report page]
- Some of the other industries that utilize the software are: Automotive, to create prototypes of their newest car models; Civil Engineering, to plan and design bridges, roads, and parks; Fashion, Interior design, and Landscaping are just a few of the others.
[From my Report page]
with quotations
The comma leading into a quote lets you stand aside so that the quote can have its turn. However, if you only use part of the quote and work it into your sentence, it is like the quote is working for you.
Example:
- In this report they stated that, “The CAD market, one of the largest and most established software markets is dynamic and growing in new directions” (Tiburon).
[From my Report page]
quotation marks {“ ”}
Quotation marks help readers know when some one is speaking or singing within a story, article, or in any form of writing. It can also be use to distinguish a chapter of a book, or an article from a newspaper.
Example:
- “A display connected to a digital computer gives us a chance to gain familiarity with concepts not realizable in the physical world. It is a looking glass into a mathematical wonderland.”
[From my Profile page]
apostrophes {’}
An apostrophe is most often used when making a noun possessive, or for standing in place for missing characters. It also makes a noun plural when put in the proper place. One of the examples that always confused me was the proper use of an apostrophe concerning dates; I always would put 1960’s, when I should have left out the apostrophe and put 1960s.
Example:
- In all reality CAD can be used for other fun things. Hobbyists can use it to further their passions, whether that’s model train enthusiasts, interior designers, or anyone that would like to take their projects to the next level.
[From my third blog post]
Capital Letters
When trying to figure out what to capitalize in a title; just remember to capitalize everything unless they are: articles, like: a, an, the; prepositions, like: in, by, from…; and conjunctions, like: and, yet, for, so….
Example:
- How to Make Some Basic Shapes in SolidWorks
[From my Instructions page]
Numbers {10 or ten?}
When trying to deciding whether to write out a number as a word, or to use numerals depends on the style of writing. For technical writing numerals should be used; for literary and general studies you should write out the number. The main thing is to be consistent.
Example:
- CAD programs can be two or three dimensional; there are low end and high end software solutions
[From my Proposal page]
hyphens {-}
Hyphens are used to join two or more words together to make them into one idea. Hyphens show that the joined words are helping each-other out. The only words that can’t be hyphenated are the ones ending in –ly.
Example:
- Algoma High School in Wisconsin has a student-run company based at the school.
[From my Proposal page]
comma splices {;→,}
A comma splice can be used as a substitute for a semicolon; to make the two independent clauses flow from one clause to the next a little faster.
Example:
- For example, when designing a three dimensional model, there are different solutions to achieve the same result.
[From my Proposal page]
fragments {.}
Fragments are short and to the point sentences. The sentence has more emphasis by keeping it short and sweet. The more serious the writing the less you should use fragments.
Example:
- I am still amazed when I see a 5 axis CNC machine. Wow!
[From my third blog post]
threeDworks 