Here are two more simple little punctuation marks to add to your growing Workplace Writing Punctuation Tool Kit:
Parentheses
* Use parentheses to enclose incidental information that could be left out. Examples:
“The meeting (the third one this week) started late.”
“All employees must be bonded. (This is required by state law.)”
“Three departments (Accounting, Marketing and Customer Service) had representatives attend.
* Use parentheses to enclose letters or numbers in lists. Example:
“Your job includes (1) editing user documentation and (2) Java programming.”
* Put a question mark or exclamation point inside parentheses if it relates to the material, outside if it doesn’t. Examples:
“You must sign all three copies (or the form will be invalid).”
“She told everyone (didn’t you hear him?) about the change.”
Ellipsis
* Use an ellipsis (three periods) to indicate that some words have been omitted from the quotation. Example:
The sponsor said, “We believe…that the deadline can be met.”
* For ellipses at the end of a sentence use four periods, that last ends it. Example:
She said, “We must develop a recognition program….”
For those who want to be accurate and consistent – Happy Punctuating.