When large numbers of copies of the Bible started to be produced, punctuation developed radically. Punctuation was designed to be read aloud. A range of marks, including indentation, various punctuation marks - simple ductus, paragraphs and diple - and an early form of initial capitals (litterae notabiliores), was introduced by the copyists to assist the reader when reading aloud.
The Gutenberg Bible; Instructions for reading aloud.
Jerome and his colleagues, who made a translation of the Bible into Latin, the Vulgate (ca. a.d. 400), employed a layout system based on established practices for teaching the speeches of Demosthenes and Cicero. Under his layout per cola et commata, every sense-unit was indented and given its own line. This layout was solely used for biblical manuscripts during the 5th-9th centuries but was abandoned in favour of punctuation
The two major styles of punctuation in English are British or American. The two styles differ mainly in the way in which they handle quotation marks, especially in conjunction with other punctuation marks. Punctuation marks in British English, such as commas and periods are placed outside the closing quotation mark, whereas in American English, however, punctuation is placed inside the closing quotation mark.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuation
The Comma,
- The comma [,] separates off from each other, ideas in the same sentence, that might otherwise be supposed to belong together; e.g., "He bought paper dolls, tin boats, and pencils." Contrast "He bought paper, dolls, tin boats and pencils."
The Colon:
- The colon [:] is used to show what has just been said is about to be explained or amplified; e.g., "The causes of his misery were twofold: his head ached and his conscience pricked him." It is also used when a quotation or a list is to follow; e.g., "He said: 'Follow me'." "The following people sent old clothes: Mrs A Fourie, Mrs B Wright, Mrs L Koekemoer, ..." When the Quotation or the list is very long, the colon is usually written with a dash, thus:-, and a new line began.
The Dash-
- The dash [-] is used mainly to break off what is being said; e.g., " 'Iain,' said his father, 'be careful not to cause offence and mind-' 'Oh, father Iknow what to do,' muttered Iain sulkily." (Here the speaker is interrupted).
"Well, if that is all you can say-!" (Here words fail the speaker and he does not finish his sentence).
"There were turkey, ham, roast beef and plum-pudding, almonds, raisins, mince-pies and crackers-in fact, everything there is supposed to be at an English Christmas dinner." (Here the writer breaks off his catalogue to sum up the whole).
Sometimes a dash is used before a word or a phrase to draw attention to it; e.g., "After a long life, my rich uncle died and left me -his blessing."
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Punctuation marks
Punctuation
apostrophe ’ '
brackets [ ] ( ) { } ⟨ ⟩
colon :
comma , ، 、
dash ‒ – — ―
ellipsis … ... ⋯ ᠁ ฯ
exclamation mark !
full stop, period .
guillemets ‹ › « »
hyphen ‐
hyphen-minus -
question mark ?
quotation marks ‘ ’ “ ” ' ' " "
semicolon ;
slash, stroke, solidus / ⁄
Word dividers
interpunct ·
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuation_of_English
Source: English Grammar: EBH Joubert
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