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Apostrophe ( ' )

• Indicates "missing" letters in contraction.
• Makes a possessive structure, between the noun and the "s" for a singular noun and following the "s" for a plural:  1) Horse's = Horses'  2) Glass's = Glasses'  3) Mane's = Manes'
• Use to pluralize letters and numbers (5's, A's, etc.).
  
• NEVER use an apostrophe for a possessive pronoun: 1) It's = wrong  2) Its = it is.

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Colon ( : )

• Introduces something (word, sentence, list) with added emphasis.
• Never place directly after a verb.
• If you can substitute a colon for a comma and the word "namely," it is probably correct.
  

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Comma ( , )

• Placed between the items in a list of three or more.
• Precedes a conjunction in a compound sentence.
• Indicates elided words or phrases.
• Separates words, phrases, or subordinate clauses from the main part of a sentence.
• Sets off independent.
  

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Dash ( - )

• Connects two groups of words which are somehow independent or not directly related.
• Introduces something (word, sentence, list) with added emphasis.
  

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Semi-Colon ( ; )

• Connects two complete sentences, which are closely related in thought.
• Do not state the second sentence with a conjunction or capital.
• Using a comma where a semi-colon is required results in a comma splice.  
  
• Using neither a semi-colon or a comma results in run-on sentences or fused sentences.

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Quotes ( "......")

• Use double quote marks for literal quotations.
• If you have quotations within quotations, use double quote marks for the outside and single for the inside.
• To indicate a common expression, slang, or some kind of jargon without directly quoting someone, use sine quote marks.
  
• Other forms or punctuation (periods, question marks, commas, etc.) goes inside the quotation marks.