PRAGMATIC, STYLISTIC, AND STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONS OF PUNCTUATION MARKS ACROSS FUNCTIONAL STYLES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LITERARY, JOURNALISTIC, AND ACADEMIC DISCOURSES

Abstract

Punctuation marks have traditionally been regarded as graphic devices that organize written language and ensure syntactic clarity. However, contemporary linguistic research increasingly recognizes punctuation as a multifunctional system that contributes not only to textual structure but also to pragmatic meaning and stylistic expression. This study investigates the pragmatic, stylistic, and structural functions of punctuation marks across three major functional styles: literary, journalistic, and academic discourse. The research aims to identify how punctuation marks operate within different communicative contexts and how their functions vary according to discourse-specific objectives and conventions.