The Use of Punctuation Marks in Essays Written by SS 3 Students in Salem Group of Schools

Abstract

Punctuation marks are   important signs use in texts to separate   words, phrases, clauses    and sentences in order to make the grammatical structures readable and easy to understand. Nevertheless, incorrect usage of punctuation remains a persistent challenge among students, especially second language users of English. This study explores the use of punctuation marks among SS3 Senior Secondary School (SS3) students of Salem Group of Schools, Dutse. The main objectives are to: (1) to identify common punctuation errors among SS3 students (2) to examine how punctuation marks affect the clarity and coherence of students’ essays. (3) to assess the proficiency of SS 3 students in using punctuation marks accurately and appropriately in the essays. Data were collected through written essays to examine the accuracy, frequency, and common errors in punctuation usage. Findings reveal frequent misuse of basic punctuation marks, largely due to insufficient instructional emphasis. The study recommends improved teaching strategies and curriculum supports to enhance students’ writing skills. The findings indicate that strengthening students’ proficiency in punctuation can contribute to greater writing clarity and improved academic outcomes.