Step 1: What is happening at the blank?
Diagnose the structure before any punctuation choices appear.
Step 2: Which choice creates a legal boundary?
Use the grammar you just identified.
Choose the structure first.
SAT Reading and Writing
Punctuation Boundaries
Find the boundary before choosing the mark.
Punctuation is structural. First decide what is happening on both sides of the blank. Then choose the period, semicolon, comma plus conjunction, colon, dash, or no punctuation that legally fits.
1
Cover the ChoicesRead the sentence as ideas and clauses before looking at punctuation.2
Test the SidesAsk whether each side is complete or still connected to something essential.3
Name the BoundaryIdentify complete clauses, an introduction, an interruption, or no real break.4
Choose LegallySelect the mark that fits the structure—not the one that merely looks familiar.Case 1 of 12Independent Boundaries
Points0
Streak0
Time—
Structure first
Boundary
Boundary Audit Complete
Your punctuation profile
Boundary recognition0%
Punctuation selection0%
Fully correct0%