There are many uses for parentheses, also known as round brackets.The information that isn't part of the main text is set off by parentheses.It could be a background on the person, place or thing mentioned in the text.When Parentheses are used to enclose a citation to a reference, they have an organizational function.
Step 1: Refer to supplemental or biographical information with parentheses.
Additional information about a person, place, or thing mentioned in text can be beneficial to the reader.Place the information in parentheses if it isn't necessary to the whole sentence.The significance of the information is emphasized so that it doesn't take away from the whole sentence's meaning.The author of The Lord of the Rings and C. S. Lewis were both members of a literary discussion group.The reader can place the names of the authors by listing a popular book each is known for.Jane Austen is known for her novels, including Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility.
Step 2: Don't add anything from the rest of the sentence.
Digressions add interest and color to your writing.They can be found in non-fiction or research writing.They may give your reader an interesting point of information, but they aren't essential to the main sentence.Sarah walked her dog after making bacon and eggs.The phrases can be set off with dashes or commas.It is a matter of personal writing style.Parentheses are usually preferred if the reader doesn't need to know much about the subject of your writing.If you want to include the narrator in your fiction, you might choose parentheses.
Step 3: An acronym can be used for a group or organization.
Write out the full name of the organization before you write about it.After the name, give the acronym in parentheses.You only need to use the acronym for future mentions.Employees and volunteers with the Animal Protective League hope to reduce and eventually eliminate cases of animal abuse in the community.
Step 4: Refer readers to a page.
You may use a chart or table to describe something in your work.Something that's discussed in more detail in another section might be briefly mentioned.Your readers will know where to go if you put this information in parentheses.More than half of students who had a bachelor's degree considered going back to school for a masters degree a year after graduation, according to polling.
Step 5: To identify items in a series, set off letters or numbers.
You can identify each item with a number or letter when you list them in writing.If you want to alert your readers that this is a list, close the numbers or letters in parentheses.A company is looking to hire someone who has a great work ethic, knows everything there is to know about the latest photo editing and enhancement software, and has at least five years of professional experience in the field.
Step 6: The reference is in-text.
Parenthetical citations are required in the text of a paper in many research citation styles.The name of the author is followed by either the year the work was published or the page on which the material appears.Readers can find the full citation in the paper's full reference list.There is research suggesting that a link exists between headaches and depression.There is research suggesting that a link exists between headaches and depression.
Step 7: The surrounding sentence should be Punctuated outside the parentheses.
A sentence with a parenthetical statement is the same as one without it.Even if the parenthetical statement occurs at the end of the sentence, it should be outside the parentheses.The author of The Lord of the Rings was friends with C.S. Lewis.
Step 8: Punctuate inside parentheses for special words.
Sometimes the parenthetical statement includes a question or exclamation.Place the punctuation inside the parentheses if it only applies to the parenthetical statement."Remember my sister's husband?"She is planning a surprise for her birthday.In fiction writing, this type of parenthetical statement is usually found.If you were writing an email to a friend, you could use it.Don't use parentheses in formal writing.
Step 9: Punctuation should be included for multiple sentences, except for the last.
You may have more than one sentence in parentheses.If the aside is part of the sentence, don't use a question mark or exclamation point for the final sentence.Mary looked forward to reading with her grandmother after school.Did Granny go to the library?Mary was hoping so.Although parenthetical statements can make your work difficult to read, you can put a whole paragraph in parentheses.Content footnotes are usually preferred in academic writing.
Step 10: Punctuate stand-alone parentheticals.
Sometimes a parenthetical statement follows a complete sentence.Place the parentheses if the parenthetical statement is a full sentence.The parentheses should have no punctuation outside of them.The new church was built on the grounds of the old one.The old church was torn down 14 years ago.
Step 11: Punctuation can be used inside and outside the parentheses.
There is a period outside the parentheses that is needed to end the sentence.If the parenthetical statement wasn't there, you should keep the surrounding sentence the same.Sarah wanted to play Juliet and waited for the cast list to go up.
Step 12: It's a good idea to eliminate extraneous punctuation.
Parenthetical information can be set off from the rest of the sentence.If the surrounding sentence requires it, you don't need to add additional punctuation when you choose parentheses.Take the parenthetical statement out if you're not sure about the surrounding sentence.Put the parenthetical statement back in if you don't Punctuate the sentence without it.There is a selection of baked goods at the new coffee shop on 22nd Street.There is no need for additional punctuation here.There is only one parenthetical statement that can stand alone.She decided to change her stance on the issue, contrary to her previous rationale.The parenthetical statement is followed by a comma because it is necessary for the surrounding sentence.