ColonA colon is a continuation of a sentence. It can be complete without the added information, but it feels more complete with the additional material.
Example:
While reviewing the patients past history, I had to make a choice of which anesthetic to use: Propofol, Ketamine, Pentothal, or Thiopentol.
From my own writing:
My entire existence during medical school in Cork was framed by two questions: How did I get here, and where do I go from here? [From Profile]
SemicolonA semicolon is basically two or more sentences being linked into one more complete sentence. By doing this you can open more meaning to the sentence by building upon the original idea.
Example:
The patient has just become unconscious; I’ll need to continue to monitor all vital signs, and watch for any complications.
From my own writing:
Being able to fully feel what is happening, and hear what is going on around them; however, unable to move. [From Anesthesia Awareness]
Em DashEm dashes are used to create a brief pause in the sentence, to add extra excitement, definition, or thought. There is no special key for the em dash, so use this code: Hold Alt + 0151.
Example:
She is suffering from a myocardial infarction—get her in the O.R. STAT!
From my own writing:
Thus anesthesia is a very important — if not the most important — tool for surgical procedures. [From Anesthesia Awareness]
The majority of people think that Anesthesiologists just put people to sleep during surgeries, however that is a misconception— they keep that person alive! [From About]
En DashThe en dash is used for two purposes, the first to show a time frame (by removing the word “to”), and secondly to connect two words together. There is no special key for the en dash, so use this code: Hold Alt + 0150.
Example:
In 1772 the English chemist Joseph Priestley (1733–1804) discovered nitrous oxide gas.
Dr. Kim was an Ivy League–educated man, with a “no humor” attitude.
From my own writing:
Having AA is very unlikely. In a study done by Ghoneim, and colleagues, they took data from 1950 (when the first case report was published) –August, 2005. [From Anesthesia Awareness]
HyphenHyphens are the choice between a space and no space. With no space it brings the words closer together, or perhaps separates them even further (dependent on usage). For example: when using no space it brings the two words closer, and when you separate a word, it drives the meanings further apart.
Example:
The ever-so-cold operating room chilled me straight to the bone; I could not stop shi-ver-ing!
From my own writing:
No specific major is needed, but a degree in pre-medicine, biology or a related field is beneficial. [From Where do I Start]
ParenthesesParentheses can be used to break, or pause a sentence to include more information. It’s meant not to distract the reader, or to be read out loud. It is used to clarify the sentence. If you took out everything within the parentheses the sentence would read with no problem.
Example:
The patient’s heart is in an arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats) pattern that needs to be closely watched.
From my own writing:
One of these technologies that is largely used (and accepted by many healthcare professionals), is the Bispectral Index (BIS ®) which monitors brain activity, to allow the anesthesiologist to determine the depth of consciousness. [From Anesthesia Awareness]
CommasWith additional clauses
Commas are used to separate the sentence into multiple thoughts, or ideas, some that can be parallel to, or some that might contradict the other idea.
Example:
The surgeon just cracked opened the ribcage, this is going to be an intense procedure.
From my own writing:
It will help you understand the type of schooling that is required and the base salary of Anesthesiologists, and what type of work will be performed. [From About]
With parenthetical elements
Commas with parenthetical elements are used a lot like em dashes, and parentheses. However, they are used more frequently, intended to be read out loud, and don’t add emphasis, or excitement like the em dash does.
Example:
After placing the epidural, which caused minimal pain to the patient, compared to her contractions, I had her lay in the supine position.
From my own writing:
I also want to share with you that you are never too old to go back to school; I am now 27 years old, and just starting this long road. [From About]
With a series
Commas with a series is an excellent way to input a list into the sentence, and hold all of the components in place.
Example:
Some of the most widely used local anesthetics are cocaine, lidocaine, procaine, and amethocaine.
From my own writing:
You’re the one relieving their anxiety, taking care of their pain, and keeping them alive. [From Blog 1]
With quotations
Commas before a quote lead the reader to know that someone else is about to be speaking.
Example:
You should never say, “Oh crap! I didn’t mean to cut that,” during a surgery!
From my own writing:
Roden talks about her view of grades by saying, “Good grades were cumulative tickets to freedom, to find a place to live of my choice. get away from home, get away from it all. Someday it would all make sense.” [From Profile]
When Splicing
Comma splices are intended to bring two or more independent clauses together, close enough to relate. They would work with a semicolon in place, but that would feel like too much of a pause for the reader. The splice brings it together tightly, and seamlessly.
Example:
I not only have school all day long, I have homework to do all evening.
From my own writing:
Not everyone knows where to begin in the search for a medical degree, I’m here to aid you along your journey! [From Where do I Start]
Quotation MarksQuotation marks are very important when writing. They let you know if you are quoting someone (verbatim), if you're mentioning a title, or citing a source.
Example:
I watched with great intent as the surgeon held out his hand and said only a single word, "scalpel." “Dr. Tanner said, ‘Scalpel,’” recalled Dr. Roberts.
From my own writing:
In Gabriele F. Roden’s memoir, “Behind the Ether Screen,” she writes about her experiences with medicine, and why she chose the path of becoming an Anesthesiologist. [From Profile]
ApostropheApostrophes help show ownership of an item, and also share if there is multiple items.
Examples:
The needles are sharp. (When not use one)
The needle's tip is sharp. (Describing the needle)
The patients’ rooms are comfortable. (Showing possession multiple people)
From my own writing:
Basically simplifying how the complex mechanisms of our body's nervous system work. [From Anesthesia Awareness]
EllipsesEllipses are used when you want to break up a quote, or use only a partial amount of it. Let's say you wanted to use the first part of the paragraph, and the end, but the middle was not needed. You could connect the quote parts via an ellipsis, while ignoring the unneeded portions. You could also use this in any order, say using something from the end of the book, followed by something at the beginning.
Example from within my own writing:
“A few whiffs of oxygen, followed by some vigorous slaps on the buttocks, reversed my flaccid state of blue,” she continues with, “Little did I know that someday I would become an expert in the skills of resuscitation… Oxygen brushed me with the first kiss of life when I was born; perhaps it saved my life." [From Profile]
BracketsBrackets can be used to correct, or edit a quote. Also to let the reader know that this is a change made by you and not directly verbatim of the one being quoted. You only see this inside quotation marks.
Example from within my own writing:
Original: “There would hardly be anything as powerful as the feel of a syringe in my hand, loaded with a potent yellow liquid that would send any patient into a deep ocean of unconsciousness.”
Altered: Dr. Roden describes the power she feels, "There would hardly be anything as powerful as the feel[ing] of a syringe in my hand, loaded with a potent yellow liquid that would send any patient into a deep [black] ocean of unconsciousness.” [From Profile]
CapitalizationCapitalization shows a proper noun, and will be used to demonstrate the title. Capitalization can also show a specific title of a book, or movie, and should always be used to do so. You will want to leave words like in, an, and, of, the, etc. in lower case, unless they begin the title.
Example:
In the book "An Anesthesiologists Guide to Proper Dosages," the author, Henry Gibbons, stresses the importance of Patient monitoring.
From my own writing:
According to The Nemours Foundation, one of the largest nonprofit organizations devoted to children's health, they write, "Think of the brain as a central computer that controls all the body's functions and the nervous system as a network that relays messages back and forth from the brain to different parts of the body.” [From Anesthesia Awareness]
ItalicsYou are to use italics for: titles of publications (books, movies, journals, etc.), a word being used as an object, a sound being mimicked, foreign words, extra emphasis, or direct thought. Titles of chapters within publications, news articles, etc., should be within quotation marks.
Example:
In the article “Anesthesia and You,” posted in the New York Times on October 4th 2009, the author describes reasons to not fear an anesthetic procedure.
From my own writing:
Ghoneim, Mohamed M., Block, Robert I., Haffarnan, Mary, Mathews, Maya J. “Awareness During Anesthesia: Risk Factors, Causes and Sequelae: A Review of Reported Cases in the Literature.” Anesthesia & Analgesia Vol. 108, No. 2 February 2009 p. 527-535. Print. [From Anesthesia Awareness]
NumbersNumbers that start a sentence will always be spelled out. If you have a paper that doesn’t worry about length of writing, spell out the word; but always be consistent. If you’re giving scientific numbers, or dates, use numerals.
Example:
In the year 2008, over twenty one million patients went through an anesthetic procedure; while only 0.724% had a difficulty occur.
From my own writing:
One of the reasons I chose such a demanding and difficult career, is my desire to help others. [From About]
Fragments
Fragments are used to break the traditional rules of needing a full clause. The sentences are short, and the missing information is typically implied due to the sentence prior, or following the fragment. Because it's so short, it demands attention from the reader, and emphasizes the importance.
Example:
Sophia insisted that she was too afraid of needles to get an epidural. Too bad! Due to the need of a cesarean section, she really had no choice.
From my own writing:
You might be asking yourself, “Where do I start?” And that’s ok. Not everyone knows where to begin in the search for a medical degree, so I’m here to aid with your questions! [From Where do I Start]
Abbreviations
Abbreviations are used when you want to simplify, or shorten the writing. For example, it’s easier to call an Automated Teller Machine an ATM, rather than its actual name. They can very tricky depending on the type of writing being used, but you will want to remain consistent and uniform throughout your writing.
Example:
The patient is suffering from AAA (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm) and needs corrective treatment STAT.
From my own writing:
Along with being certified in phlebotomy, I am also certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and currently working on my Advanced EMT certification at this time. [From About]
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