Punctuation

In the English language, precision of meaning is important, and punctuation is necessary to do this.  As Henry Hitchings says, a simplification of punctuation "appears to reflect wider social decline"; changing language to conveniently meet standards of social networks and other modern additions to communication will destroy the foundation information is spread upon.  Lewis Thomas details the specific uses and meanings for the different punctuation marks-- parenthesis, commas, colons, semicolons, explanation marks, question marks, and the dash-- highlighting the seemingly insignificant differences.  He says that colons are "a lot less attractive", and that explanation points are "irritating", but does so in a way that demonstrates their effect on the language; adding an explanation point can "destroy the whole work [of literature]".  Each of these punctuation marks changes the mood and meaning of the work and having strict guidelines of use will promote clarity to the reader. When there is a strict set of rules to adhere by, creativity can seem to be hindered.  Elizabeth Austin states "not for me the dogma of the period" and demonstrates a poem that does not follow grammar.  In certain cases, this is true, yet in the ever-changing world creativity can expressed with proper grammar.  Literary devices such as similes, personification, and metaphors all follow the rules of grammar, allow creativity, and remain clear to the reader. The standards of punctuation are not necessarily hindering.  Specific meanings also becomes extraordinarily important in writing that should not be left up to the reader to interpret; scientific journals and news articles are written to convey a certain message.

Sherman Alexie uses twitter, completes a thought, and uses proper punctuation.  It is possible!