PUNCTUATION MARKS:

THE “DTR”S OF

PHRASAL RELATIONSHIPS

A story on why it’s important to “define the relationship” in both life and in language

WHAT’S A “DTR”?

A “DTR” stands for “Defining the

Relationship”, a conversation in which the

type and level of a relationship is

discussed and settled upon, often with use

of a symbol!

WHY DO THEY MATTER?

“DTR”s matter because if a relationship is not defined, then

confusion and hurt feelings can occur.

Symbols are important because they signify to everyone the status

of the relationship. That way, both the couple and everyone else

knows what kind of relationship two people have.

If the level of the relationship and the symbols do not match up,

there are often problems in the relationship.

Symbols Signify Type of Relationship!

CASE IN POINT:

“SINGLE LADIES”

BY BEYONCE

What does she mean by,

“If you liked it, then you should have put a ring on it”?

WHAT THE SYM BOL S M EAN IN L IF E

AND IN L ANGUAGE:

When it comes to levels of connectedness, life and language are reversed.

In life, more symbols mean you’re more connected.

In language, however, having fewer or less dramatic punctuation marks

between two clauses means that they are more closely linked to one another.

First I bought supplies. Then I

started my project.

Who was that on the phone?

They were really loud.

What a commotion! You guys

really need to quiet down.

LOWEST LEVELS OF

CONNECTEDNESSIn Life:

No Symbols = We’re Only Casually Linked

In Language:

End Punctuation = We’re separate ideas

Here’s what’s on my shopping

list: eggs, pancake mix and

bacon.

I couldn’t stand the rock

concert; it was just too loud.

MEDIUM LEVELS OF

CONNECTEDNESSIn Life:

“GF”/ “BF” Titles= We’re Exclusive

In Language:

Semi-colon/Colon = We’re very linked

I am available to go, but I’ll

have to get a ride there.

My best friend, Mary Ellen,

is the sweetest girl you’ll ever

meet.

HIGHER LEVELS OF

CONNECTEDNESSIn Life:

Getting “Pinned” = We’re Very Serious

In Language:

Comma = We “linked at the hip”

I must go.

I love wearing jeans and flip

flops.

What are you doing?

He and I are a “we”.

HIGHEST LEVELS OF

CONNECTEDNESSIn Life:

Wedding Band = We’re for Forever

In Language:

No Punctuation = “We complete each other.”

WHEN RELATIONSHIPS

ARE NOT DEFINED IN LIFE

WHEN RELATIONSHIPS ARE

NOT DEFINED IN LANGUAGE

MORAL OF THE STORY:

Define the relationship; use proper punctuation!