Final answer:
Punctuation is a stylistic element in writing that involves the use of marks such as commas, apostrophes, semicolons, colons, periods, question marks, exclamation points, dashes, and parentheses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Punctuation is a stylistic element in writing that involves the use of marks such as commas, apostrophes, semicolons, colons, periods, question marks, exclamation points, dashes, and parentheses. These punctuation marks serve different purposes in a sentence, such as indicating pauses, separating different elements, or expressing emphasis. For example, a comma can be used to separate items in a list or to indicate a pause, while an exclamation point can convey strong emotions or emphasis.
Expertise in punctuation allows writers to craft sentences that express their ideas with the desired emphasis and subtlety, contributing to the voice and tone of their narrative. The periodic sentence, for example, with its ornamental use of subclauses and connectors, was a stylistic choice in renaissance literature that exemplifies how punctuation can affect the reading experience. Thus, understanding and applying punctuation rules is essential for shaping a text's style and effectively communicating with readers.