7.  Names applied to the Deity are capitalized and pronouns referring thereto, especially if personal, are usually capitalized.

8.  Important words are often capitalized for emphasis, especially words in text-books indicating topics.

+4.  Punctuation.+—­The meaning of a sentence depends largely on the grouping of words that are related in sense to each other.  When we are reading aloud we make the sense clear by bringing out to the hearer this grouping.  This is accomplished by the use of pauses and by emphasis and inflection.  In writing we must do for the eye what inflection and pauses do for the ear.  We therefore use punctuation marks to indicate inflection and emphasis, and especially to show word grouping.  Punctuation marks are important because their purpose is to assist in making the sense clear.  There are many special rules more or less familiar to you, but they may all be included under the one general statement:  Use such marks and only such marks as will assist the reader in getting the sense.

What marks we shall use and how we shall use them will be determined by custom.  In order to benefit a reader, marks must be used in ways with which he is familiar.  Punctuation changes from time to time.  The present tendency is to omit all marks not absolutely necessary to the clear understanding of the sentence.

There are some very definite rules, but there are others that cannot be made so definite, and the application of them requires care and judgment on the part of the writer.  Improvement will come only by practice.  Sentences should not be written for the purpose of illustrating punctuation.  The meaning of what you are writing ought to be clear to you, and the punctuation marks should be put in as you write, not inserted afterward.

+5.  Rules for the Use of the Comma.+—­1.  The comma is used to separate words or phrases having the same construction, used in a series.

  Judges, senators, and representatives were imprisoned.

  The country is a good place to be born in, a good place to die in, a
    good place to live in at least part of the year.

If any conjunctions are used to connect the last two members, the comma may or may not be used in connection with the conjunction.

  The cabbage palmetto affords shade, kindling, bed, and food.

2.  Words or expressions in apposition should be separated by a comma.

  The native Indian dress is an evolution, a survival from long years of
    wild life.

3.  Commas are used to separate words in direct address from the rest of the sentence.

  Bow down, dear Land, for thou hast found release. 
  O, Sohrab, an unquiet heart is thine!

4.  Introductory and parenthetical words or expressions are set off by commas.

  However, the current is narrow and very shallow here.

  This, in a general way, describes the scope of the small parks or
    playgrounds.