���˿���

Key learning points

• How to use brackets to add extra information
• How to add numbers and dates
• How to use brackets for stage directions in play scripts

• Brackets are a very useful type of punctuation which look like this ( )
• Brackets always come in pairs and can be used to add extra information in a sentence.
• You can use brackets (like this) to add a little extra information in the middle of a sentence.
• You can also use brackets to add a bit more information at the end of a sentence (you can use them like this).
• You can also use brackets to add a whole extra sentence with a bit more information. (Here’s an example of that.)

Brackets can be used to add extra information (like this) within a sentence, this is called a parenthesis. The sentence needs to make sense without the extra information, but using brackets can make a sentence more interesting. Here’s an example:

• Without brackets: I had a cheese sandwich for lunch.
• With brackets: I had a cheese sandwich (which is my favourite) for lunch.

When you use brackets to add extra information to a sentence, the sentence has to make sense without the brackets. Have a look at this example:

• My dog Jake (is asleep) on the sofa.
  • If we take away the information in brackets, the sentence reads My dog Jake on the sofa. The brackets have not been used correctly as the sentence doesn't make sense without them.
  • The correct use would be: My dog Jake is lying (asleep) on the sofa.

You can also use brackets to add the extra information at the end of the sentence, but you need to expand the extra information into a complete sentence, like this:

• My dog Jake is on the sofa. (He is asleep.)

Notice that if you put a full sentence inside brackets, the full stop at the end of that sentence also goes inside the brackets.

You can also use brackets to add extra little bits of information in your writing, such as dates, percentages and financial information.

• This can be helpful if you are adding people’s ages:
  • My little brother (seven) is a real pain.
• Or if you want to add dates:
  • World War Two (1939-1945) had a huge impact.
• Or to add percentages:
  • A recent study showed that cheese is most people’s favourite sandwich filling (73 per cent).

In play scripts, writers can use brackets for stage directions. Stage directions give information about what the writer wants the actors to do. Have a look at this short script and notice where the writer uses brackets:

Scene: A school playground

(JIM is looking through his bag. EDDIE comes up and pushes him.)

JIM: (angrily) What do you think you're doing?

EDDIE: I forgot my dinner money today. And I'm hungry.

(EDDIE grabs JIM's lunch and runs off.)

JIM: Hey you, come back!

(Enter the CARETAKER.)

CARETAKER: What's wrong, son?

Brackets can be used as stage directions to show what the writer wants the actors to do:

1. Brackets can be used to show what the writer wants the actors to do:
   (JIM is looking through his bag. EDDIE comes up and pushes him.)
2. Brackets can be used to show how actors should say their lines:
   JIM: (angrily) What do you think you're doing?
3. Brackets can be used to show when characters enter and exit the stage:
   (Enter the CARETAKER.)