How does punctuation affect typing speed?

Punctuation slows typing because it requires shifting (for ! @ # $ %) or reaching far keys (comma, period, semicolon). Common slowdowns: period (right ring finger, bottom row) breaks rhythm; comma (same finger) similarly; apostrophe (right pinky near Enter). Also, capitalizing the first letter of a sentence uses Shift, adding a keystroke. In a typical paragraph, punctuation accounts for 10-15% of characters but 20-25% of typing time. To improve: 1) Practice punctuation drills (e.g., 'He said, Hello!'). 2) Use the correct finger (right pinky for apostrophe). 3) Type punctuation without pausing – integrate into the word flow. Many tests exclude punctuation; always practice with it for real-world speed.