A lesson on commas, colons, and semicolons Grade 6

1. Punctuation Station A lesson on commas, colons, and semicolons Grade 6

3. The Colon , a sentence gateway The most important thing to remember about colons is that you only use them after statements that are complete sentences. Never use a colon after a sentence fragment. The colon is made with two periods stacked on top of one another. Colons announce. They add dramatic flourishes that introduce lists, quotations, complete sentences, and dialogue. The colon comes at a point in the sentence where the sentence could come to a complete stop. Date "colon" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1550.

4. Colon Definition • A punctuation mark used after a word to introduce lists of items • Or an example • Or an explanation • Or after the greeting of a business letter • Or to separate hours and minutes in time expressions

5. A Colon is used to introduce lists of items. Incorrect: The following items will be required at camp, sleeping bag, tent, hiking shoes, and compass. Correct: The following items will be required at camp: sleeping bag, tent, hiking shoes, and compass.

6. A Colon is used after the greeting of a business letter. Incorrect: Dear Sir, Correct:Dear Sir:

7. A Colon is used to separate hours and minutes in time expressions. Incorrect: The time is 700. Correct: The time is 7:00.

8. The Colon a sentence gateway You have now mastered the uses of the colon, a very handy device in the punctuation of your sentences. Let’s review.

9. Are there Any Questions?

10. What is a Comma? • A comma is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause is needed in a sentence. • Commas help to clarify meaning for the reader. • It is also used between the date and the year. ,

11. Commas are used to separate ideas. Incorrect:Kari is bringing candles baskets napkins and plastic plates to the park. Correct:Kari is bringing candles, baskets, napkins, and plastic plates to the park.

12. Commas in a Series Commas should be placed in series of words, phrases, or clauses. Place commas in the following sentences: Martina brushed her hair put on her pajamas and went to bed. Martina brushed her hair, put on her pajamas, and went to bed. She fell asleep and dreamed that she was a princess she kissed a frog and she rescued her prince. She fell asleep and dreamed that she was a princess, she kissed a frog, and she rescued her prince.

13. Commas are used to set off special elements. Incorrect: Yesterday the ghost chased the man. Correct: Yesterday, the ghost chased the man.

14. Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives that modify the same noun. Incorrect: Gillian wore a bright colorful costume. Correct:Gillian wore a bright,colorful costume.

15. Commas are used to set off quotations. Incorrect: Clark asked “Where is Lois?” Correct: Clark asked, “Where is Lois?”

16. Commas are used between the date and the year Incorrect: October 31 2010 Correct: October 31, 2010

17. A Comma in a Compound Sentence • The comma in a compound sentence is placed before the coordinating conjunction. SV Candydressedas a Vampiress for Halloween,andJeffwent as a Pirate. conj.SV

18. Compound Sentence Let’s Exercise! Where would you place the comma in the following sentence? Dan struggled with his homework so his father helped him. Dan struggled with his homework,sohisfatherhelpedhim. SVconj.SV

19. Introductory clause=dependent clause located at the beginning of a sentence • When a dependent clause is placed at the beginning of a sentence, place a comma between the independent clause and the dependent clause. DCM SV WhenElizabethcalled 911, the firemenrushed to her rescue.SV

20. Introductory Clause Let’s Exercise! Where would you place the commas in the following sentences? Since it was raining we decided to go to the movies. Sinceitwas raining,wedecided to go to the movies.DCM SVconj.SV After the movie ended we went out for coffee. After the movieended,wewent out for coffee. DCM SVconj.SV

21. Let’s Review The Comma

22. “Witch” one of You has a Question?

23. When to use a Semi Colon… A semicolon is not quite a comma, not quite a period. It is a break in thought, but not a complete stop… more like an elongated pause. ; • Use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses when the clauses are not linked by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, or nor). • Use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses when the clauses are linked by a transitional expression (such as however, moreover, or therefore). • Use a semicolon to separate items in a list that also include commas.

24. Semi Colon Let’s Exercise! Where would you place the semi colon in the following sentences? Skipping the Cinderella parade, which was much too long, we went to The Haunted Mansion and we were able to walk right on without waiting in line. Skipping the Cinderella parade, which was much too long, we went to The Haunted Mansion; and we were able to walk right on without waiting in line. The field trip to the park should be fun we are all going to bring a game to play. The field trip to the park should be fun; we are all going to bring a game to play.

25. Boo you have any Questions?

26. Get it “Write” Review… Looking at the sentences on the next few slides and working together; Let’s review which of the following sentences are punctuated correctly?

27. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A. Among the books were the following items, a pen, a pencil, a pad of paper, and folder. B. Among the books were the following items: a pen, a pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder. C. Among the books were the following items; a pen, pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder. D. Among the books were the following items - a pen, pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder.

28. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A. Open your folder, take out your homework and pass it forward. B. Open your folder; take out your homework; and pass it forward. C. Open your folder, take out your homework, and pass it forward. D. Open your folder: take out your homework and pass it forward.

29. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A. Mario likes to play- football, tennis, baseball and volleyball. B. Mario likes to play football, tennis, baseball, and volleyball. C. Mario likes to play: football, tennis, baseball and volleyball. D. Mario likes to play; football, tennis, baseball, and volleyball.

30. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A. Please take out the trash, and don't forget to put the lid on the can. B. Please take out, the trash, and don't forget to put the lid on the can. C. Please, take out the trash and don't, forget to put the lid on the can. D. Please, take out the trash, and don't forget to put the lid on, the can.

31. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A. I have cousins in Frankfort, Kentucky, Portland, Oregon, and Sacramento, California. B. I have cousins in Frankfort, Kentucky- Portland, Oregon- and Sacramento, California. C. I have cousins in Frankfort, Kentucky; Portland, Oregon; and Sacramento, California. D. I have cousins in Frankfort, Kentucky: Portland, Oregon: and Sacramento, California.

32. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly? A. The field trip to the park should be fun we are all going to bring a game to play. B. The field trip to the park should be fun, we are all going to bring; a game to play. C. The field trip to the park should be fun we; are all going to bring a game to play. D. The field trip to the park should be fun; we are all going to bring a game to play.

33. Choose the sentence with punctuation errors. A. The waitress asked, "Would you like anything else?" B. Bobby asked for eggs and toast for breakfast. C. Henry took a long nap but he was still tired. D. Mrs. Todd calmed the excited, noisy children.

34. Punctuation rap Punctuation rap is a game we play. It’s fun to do, and we can learn that way. Take the period, the period; he’s not hard to understand. You’ll find him at the end of a sentence or command. He marks abbreviations, shortens words that are long. Don’t forget the period, he’s small but strong. Question mark, question mark, what did you say? He follows a question, that’s the only way. Wow! Awesome! Rad! Hurray! The exclamation point is next; he’s got something to say. He follows something loud, he’s excited to play. Don’t use him too much, he won’t be special that way. The comma is next, he is used a lot He can separate a list of some groceries you bought You’ll find him in the middle of the year and the date, Between two adjectives, or a city and state. . ? ! , - “” : ; You can join two sentences with a “but” or an “and” Just remember the comma, he will give you a hand. There is one more place that our comma has been, He comes after a clause that tells you when. The dash-the dash-he’s here, then he’s gone. If you need to make a pause, then you bring him along. Quotation marks are nosey. They have no reservations About hanging around in any conversation, You must put quotes around a thing that is said, And also a poem or a story you’ve read. The colon likes to show a list that will come, His brother, the “semi” will not be outdone. The semicolon joins two sentences with no, and If you have too many commas, he can take a stand.

35. The End Punctuation Station Grade 6