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The Colon and the Semicolon

The Colon and the Semicolon. Colons to Introduce. Lists Use a colon to introduce a list, especially after a statement that uses such words as these , the following , or as follows. Ex.: The elements of a good detective story are these: a crime, interesting characters, and an arrest.

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The Colon and the Semicolon

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  1. The Colon and the Semicolon

  2. Colons to Introduce • Lists • Use a colon to introduce a list, especially after a statement that uses such words as these, the following, or as follows. • Ex.: The elements of a good detective story are these: a crime, interesting characters, and an arrest. • Ex. 2: A teacher often gives the following instructions: (1) find books on your topic, (2) take notes, (3) write an outline, and (4) write a first draft.

  3. An exception… • A colon is NOT used to introduce a list that immediately follows a verb or a preposition. • Ex.: Three important American composers ARE Aaron Copland, Scott Joplin, and Philip Glass. • Ex. 2: What kind of music is most popular IN South America, Africa, and Asia?

  4. 2. Illustrations or restatements • Use a colon to introduce material that illustrates, explains, or restates the preceding material. • Ex.: Many African instruments are made of natural materials: Pottery, shells, gourds, and beads are often used to make African percussion instruments. • Ex. 2: The cause of the fire was obvious: Children were playing with matches. • Ex. 3: The joyous news was told to the patiently waiting crowd: The concert would take place on Saturday.

  5. Colons Before Quotations • Use a colon to introduce a long or formal quotation. A formal quotation is often preceded by such words as this, these, the following, or as follows. • Ex.: As a comment upon the way to read her place in the world, Emily Dickinson wrote these lines of poetry: I read my sentence – steadily – Reviewed it with my eyes, To see that I made no mistake In its extremest clause –

  6. Other Uses of Colons • Use a colon between the hour and the minute of the time, between the chapter and verse in biblical references, and after the salutation of a business letter. • 6:40 AM • Exodus 3:4 • Greetings: • Dear Sir or Madam: • To Whom it May Concern:

  7. Try some on your own… • Pg. 719, Exercise 7, #1-10 (don’t worry about 8 or 9) • ONE sentence is correct

  8. Why?!?! • What’s the point of a semicolon? • The most common way to use a semicolon is to connect two independent clauses. For example: • “The ice cream truck man drove by my house today. He had big hairy knuckles.”

  9. Why?!?! … continued • Those two statements are separated by a period. If read aloud, they would sound like this: • “The ice cream truck man drove by my house today. (*take a breath*) He had big hairy knuckles.” • With a semicolon, however, it would sound like this: • “The ice cream truck man drove by my house today; he had big hairy knuckles.”

  10. Try some on your own… • Pg. 721, Exercise 10, #1-5 • One is correct

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