Semicolons Belinda Jones TECH February 2016

Why Use Punctuation? Punctuation marks are signals to your readers. In speaking, we can pause, stop, or change our tone of voice. But in writing, we use punctuation marks to emphasize and clarify what we mean.

Pre-Test: Let’s See How Much You Know About Semicolons Each one of the sentences below need a semicolon. Can you figure out where? My sister excels at art I can barely draw a straight line. With enthusiasm, he cast his line out into the lake with pleasure, he later cooked his fish. A cloudless blue sky dawned that morning nevertheless, rain was expected. I baked cookies made with raisins however my dog ate them.

Pre-Test Answers My sister excels at art ; I can barely draw a straight line. With enthusiasm, he cast his line out into the lake ; with pleasure, he later cooked his fish. A cloudless blue sky dawned that morning ; nevertheless, rain was expected. I baked cookies, made with raisins ; however, my dog ate them.

Semicolon Rule #1 Use a semicolon to join 2 independent clauses when the second clause restates the first or when the two clauses are of equal emphasis. Example: Susan won the race ; she is the fastest on the varsity team.

Semicolon Rule #2 Use a semicolon to join 2 independent clauses when the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb: However Nonetheless Therefore Otherwise Moreover Meanwhile Furthermore Thus Examples: Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz; however, it was hard to concentrate because of the noise. John was caught stealing cookies from the cookie jar; therefore, his mother sent him to bed without supper.

Semicolon Rule #2 continued OR Use a semicolon to join 2 independent clauses when the second clause begins with a transitional phrase: in factfor exampleeven so that isfor instancein addition in other wordson the other hand Example: There are several ways we can spend the evening; for example, we can go to a movie.

Semicolon Rule #3 Use a semicolon to join elements of a series when individual items of the series already include commas. Examples: Recent sites of the Olympic Games include Athens, Greece; Salt Lake City, Utah; Sydney, Australia; Nagano, Japan. Members of the band include Harold Rothstein, clarinetist; Tony James, tuba player; and Lee Johnson, trumpeter.

Semicolon DON’TS Do not place a semicolon in front of the coordinating conjunctions for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. Remember FANBOYS These conjunctions are used with a comma when joining 2 independent clauses. Example: I like a variety of music genres, but I especially like opera.

Semicolon DON’TS Do not place a semicolon between an independent clause AND a dependent clause Example: Homer got fat because of the donuts.

And remember… The two clauses must relate to each other. Example: I burnt the dinner last night; we had to eat at Pei Wei. I love Steven; he makes my heart flutter.

Ted Ed Video Click Here for video Click Here Press play. When the video stops, restart the PowerPoint by clicking on the icon at the bottom of your screen.

So, Now We Know HOW to Use a Semicolon, but Should We? There seems to be some controversy. According to famous author, Kurt Vonnegut: “Here is a lesson in creative writing. First rule: Do not use semicolons. They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you’ve been to college.”

So…live a little; use colons.

References Bryce, Emma. How o use a semicolon. Ted Ed. Retrieved February 29, 2016 from semicolon-emma-bryce. Fogarty, M. (2009, September 22). Semicolons [I will not be afraid to use semicolons]. Retrieved February 29, 2016, from Semicolons. [I used a semicolon; it was correct]. Pinterest. Retrieved February 29, 2016, from Semicolon. [I use semicolons; they make me feel smart]. Grammarly Blog. Retrieved February 29, 2016, from Semicolon. [I’m not winking; I’m punctuating]. Retrieved February 29, 2016 from Vonnegut, Kurt. Quotable quote on semicolons. Retrieved 29 February from