1. Punctuation within a sentence: This is the most likely meaning. It refers to punctuation marks used within a sentence, such as:
* Commas (,): Separate items in a list, clauses, and phrases.
* Semicolons (;): Connect closely related independent clauses.
* Colons (:): Introduce lists, explanations, or quotations.
* Apostrophes ('): Indicate possession or contractions.
* Quotation marks (" "): Enclose direct speech or titles.
* Parentheses ( ): Enclose additional information or explanations.
* Dashes (-): Indicate abrupt changes or interruptions.
2. Punctuation within a larger text: This could refer to punctuation used within sections of a longer work, such as paragraphs or chapters.
3. Punctuation within a single word: This is less common but could refer to hyphens (-) used to join words together, like "mother-in-law".
To understand what "internal punctuation" means in your specific context, please provide more details about where you encountered this term. For example:
* What were you reading when you came across it?
* Was it in a grammar book, a writing guide, or something else?
* Can you provide the specific sentence or paragraph where it was used?
Knowing the context will help me provide a more accurate and relevant answer.