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Semicolons & Colons

Semicolons & Colons. Opening Screen. Agents: Two students (A&B) doing homework. A- I’m tired of using the same boring punctuation in my writing. Can you help me spice it up a bit? B- I think I know just what you need…semicolons and colons. Semicolons Colons. Semicolons.

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Semicolons & Colons

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  1. Semicolons & Colons

  2. Opening Screen Agents: Two students (A&B) doing homework. A- I’m tired of using the same boring punctuation in my writing. Can you help me spice it up a bit? B- I think I know just what you need…semicolons and colons. SemicolonsColons

  3. Semicolons B- Adding semicolons to your sentences will help you improve your writing. A- How do I use a semicolon? B- Well, there are three different ways to use semicolons. Compound Sentences 1 Compound Sentences 2 Items in a Series

  4. Items in a Series A- Sometimes when I am writing multiple items in a series that already have commas, I think it looks confusing to read. B- That’s because you are not using semicolons. A- Oh. Wait, I don’t get it. B- Let me give you an example: Last summer, I visited Portland, Maine, Concord, New Hampshire, Boston, Massachusetts, and Hartford, Connecticut. Question- How many places did I visit? A- Hmmm. Let me count. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. B- Ah, but that’s not right. I only visited 4 places. A- But, based on my understanding each item in a series is separated by commas. B- True, but what happen when the items in your series already have commas? Like a list of cities and states? A- So, I am assuming that you are going to tell me this is where semicolons come in, right? But where? B- All you have to do is replace the commas that are separating the items in a series with semicolons. Take a look at how that sentence should be written: Last summer, I visited Portland, Maine; Concord, New Hampshire; Boston, Massachusetts; and Hartford, Connecticut. A- Wow, that makes that sentence so much easier to understand. But I still have a question. B- What’s the question? A- What if only one of my items in my series uses a comma? B- Even if it is only one, you replace all the separating commas with semicolons through the whole series. A- Ok, so it would look like this: My list of chores included cleaning the living room; cleaning the kitchen, remembering to wash the dishes; and picking up my room. B- Now you’re getting it! Semicolon Main Menu Main Menu

  5. Compound Sentences 2 B- Sometimes, a compound sentence has something called a conjunctive adverb. A- A conjunctawho? B- A conjunctive adverb. It is a word that is playing the role of both an adverb and a conjunction… hence, a conjunctive adverb. A- Oooh. I see. Umm, can you give me some examples? B- Sure- some common examples include furthermore, therefore, however, so, then, moreover, nevertheless, yet, consequently, and besides. A- So, if I have a compound sentence that uses a conjunctive adverb to join the two independent clauses, you’re saying that I can use a semicolon? B- Yep. A- But where does the semicolon go? Before or after the conjunctive adverb? B- Good question. It always goes before the conjunctive adverb. Here, let me show you an example— A- No no, I’ve got this. Let me try: I wasn’t going to go to the dance; however, I couldn’t disappoint all of my loyal fans. B- That actually works. A- I know I use conjunctive adverbs in my writing. I’ll just have to make sure that I am using a semicolon from now on in those compound sentences. Semicolon Main Menu Main Menu

  6. Compounds Sentences 1 A- How can I use a semicolon in a compound sentence? B- When you have two sentences that are related and balanced, you can join them together to create one sentence with a semicolon. A- What does that look like? B- Look here… Here are two sentences: I love to make macaroni and cheese for lunch. I add peppers to spice it up. Since these two sentences are very much related to each other, we can add a semicolon to bring the two sentences together. A- That seems too easy. How do I know if a semicolon doesn’t work between two sentences? B- There are a couple of ways. A semicolon can not join together a complete sentence and a fragment for starters. And, you need to make sure that the sentences are related and balanced. A- How can I be sure? B- It’s simple; just use the Furthermore Test. A- The Furthermore Test? B- Let me show you… The Furthermore Test

  7. The Furthermore Test B- All you have to do is use the word “furthermore” in place of the semicolon. If the sentence makes sense, you can use a semicolon. If not, you can’t! A- Ok. The Furthermore Test. I can do that. Let me try it with your sentence… I like to make macaroni and cheese for lunch, furthermore, I add pepper to spice it up… Hey that really works! Semicolon Main Menu Main Menu

  8. Colons B- Colons are pretty easy to use. A- Easy for you maybe… B- Really, it’s simple; let me show you. ListsLettersTime

  9. Lists B- Colons are used to introduce lists. A- Let me think of a sentence with a list. Hmm. Ok. I’ve got one. I want to buy the following items at the store: a new game for the Wii, a motorized bike, and a liger key chain. B- I see. Well, in terms of the colon, you would put it right before the list. A- So between the word store and a. B- That’s right. A- Is that it though? B- Well, there is actually a test for knowing when to use a colon with a list and when not too. A- I like tests; show me your test. The Colon Test

  10. The Colon Test A- Show me how you use this test. B- Sure. Here is a sentence with a colon: “I had to bring the following items camping: a tent, a grill, and a tarp. A- Ok, let me try the test. I had to bring the following items camping: (and here they are) a tent, a grill, and a tarp. B- Perfect! How about this sentence? Can you bring over: a coffee, donuts, and pancakes? A- Let me try. Can you bring over (and here they are) a coffee, donuts, and pancakes? Wait, that doesn’t sound right. B- That’s because you can’t use a colon there. A- Ahh. I see. That test makes it pretty easy to use colons to introduce lists! Colon Main Menu Main Menu

  11. Letters B- You can use a colon in letter writing too. A- What kind of letters? B- Business letters. You know how you use a comma after the Dear So-and-So in a friendly letter? A- Sure. B- Well, you use a colon after the Dear So-and-So of a business letter. A- Yeah. I think I’ve actually seen that before. B- It’s preeeety simple. Colon Main Menu Main Menu

  12. Time A- Ok, so you say colons are used in time? B- That they are. A- I definitely knew that. I just never thought about it in terms of being a colon. I always write it, like in 10:00 or 2:30… B- Now you know those two dots separating the hours and minutes, are actually colons. Colon Main Menu Main Menu

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