Errors in the use of Punctuation

Abstract

This research entitled ‘Errors in the Use of Punctuation’ was carried out to find out and compare the frequency of punctuation errors of eleventh graders in terms of their competence over punctuation marks and schooling background. It mainly focused on finding out errors in the use of punctuation marks in writing. In order to find out the frequency of errors of girls and boys fifty percent from English background and fifty percent from non English background students were given guided and free writing test items. In the selection of the students of different colleges and campuses, the researcher used random sampling and quota sampling procedure. The researcher found that female students committed more errors than male students. Likewise, students from non English background during schooling period committed more errors than students from English background.

This thesis consists of four chapters. The first chapter introduces the topic 'Punctuation marks' in detail with various types of punctuation marks and the short history of it. The second chapter deals with the methodology of the research. It includes sources of data collections tools and sampling procedures. This chapter also presents the limitations of the research, too. The third chapter deals with the analysis and interpretation of the collected data. It presents the mean score ratings of the frequency of errors committed by students of eleventh grade and PCL first year. The fourth chapter presents the findings and recommendation.