#Punctuation

Thesis: In a rapidly changing world, the rules of grammar are constantly being morphed into ever-changing symbols carrying a meaning which is soon forgotten; however, some form of grammar is still needed in order to allow people's thoughts to be read in the form of words.

As source A describes punctuation, "as technology continues to evolve and innovate, the way in which we communicate needs to change as well"(Source A), citing examples of how a exclamation comma or a snark are no longer are recognized in society. Henry Hitchings believes that punctuation no longer holds as prominent of a niche in today's "literary world". However personally, I disagree. In "On Punctuation" by Elizabeth Austen she states how most of punctuation is a "tight-lipped fence" or a "prissy formality"(Source B), however she also mentions many punctuation marks that she would use if  "[She] must"(Source B). Austen brings to light in her poem that even though a lot of punctuation marks may just be fluff, it still is a vital part of writing. Taking it one step further, Lewis Thomas in "Notes on Punctuation" bluntly states "There are no precise rules about punctuation"(Source C), more like there shouldn't be... While I believe that he is incorrect in stating that there are no precise rules of punctuation, I believe this statement should be made true, leaving in the most important rules of punctuation – the period, the comma, the question mark, etc. – and allowing the fluff, described by Austen, to be open for any interpretation of use. While a lot of punctuation continues to evolve in a ever-changing world, these marks are mainly fluff, however the most important rules of it are already engrained into the writings of society.