Punctuation's Role in Modern Literature

Thesis: Punctuation has been present in writing for countless years and develops alongside the style of writing; while it is constantly evolving, the use of punctuation in writing is vital as it helps communicate the author's message, adds a level of style unattainable without said punctuation, and organizes writing in order to make it easier and more clear for the reader.


Punctuation is a lot like apple pie; the all American desert, an iconic part of our culture, delivering happiness and warm memories to people since the birth of our country. Apple pie continues to play an important role in American society regardless of the invention of newer more modern deserts like ice cream cakes, brownies, and cupcakes. No matter how old punctuation may be and how much the style of writing evolves, there is an ever present need for punctuation as a foundation of literature. Americans need punctuation like they need apple pie. Even though certain punctuation marks may not be necessary throughout the course of hundreds of years, "language evolves in conjunction with culture," (Hitchings), and punctuation evolves with language. Just because the recipe of apple pie may have been slightly modified since  the 1700s, the same idea is still there as the foundations for the necessity of punctuation are present because "not for me the dogma of the period preaching order and a sure conclusion and no not for me the prissy..."(Austen) is a continuation of words meaningless without the proper placement of punctuation. Just because one eats raw eggs, butter, white sugar, and a tablespoon of cinnamon at the same time does not make it apple pie, just how reading a mass of words does not make something a literary piece because it lacks proper structure provided through punctuation. Oftentimes the author is writing to portray events or persuade according to his or her point of view, and without the proper use of punctuation, a simple statement could have two totally opposite and contradictory meanings because of the placement or misplacement of a simple comma, leaving the reader wondering what the author actually intended to write because history can be forever changed if one night "we invited the strippers, jfk and stalin." instead of "the strippers, jfk, and stalin." The placement of one comma can manipulate the true meaning of a statement. While this may be a silly example, punctuation is a timeless asset to writing and may be modified as language evolves, but the foundation remains just as apple pie continues to be a favorite and America would not be America without both apple pie and punctuation.