MICOLON One of the first rules of grammar we learn is the proper use of OLON punctuation marks. Their application abides by traditional ERIOD ASH OR EM DASH standards, indicated in the style guides that dictate punctuation IASH OR EN DASH WING DASH usage in formal texts. In general writing, however, most of us use YPHEON punctuation in a more flexible manner. We omit, substitute, !UESTION MARK UESTION MARKS, SPANISH improvise, and alter many of the given rules. Application is XCLAMATION POINT XCLAMATION POINTS, SPANISH determined by both tradition and the writer's personal style. SPOSTROPHE ARENTHASIS Because of this casual treatment, punctuation is often taken for RACKETS granted. RACKET ANGLE gran RACES MARKS Most punctuation marks are composed to be seen but not ,UOTATION MARKS OUBLE& SINGLE heard. These subtle, often understated, devices are quite imLLIPSIS portant, however, for they are the meter that determines the measure within the silent voice of typography (figure 1). Punctuation directs tempo, pitch, volume, and the separation of words. Periods signify full stops. Commas slow the reader down. Question marks change pitch. Quotation marks indicate refer-