;

Semicolon Links two complete thoughts in a single sentence Does NOT need a conjunction to join two independent clauses Is stronger than a comma, but not as final as a period Adds interest by turning short, choppy sentences into compound sentences

Short, choppy sentences Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president. Abraham Lincoln wrote The Emancipation Proclamation.

Revised with a semicolon Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president; he wrote the Emancipation Proclamation.

Correct or Incorrect? I like pizza; but not if it has anchovies on it.

Correct or Incorrect? It is easy to get good grades; complete your homework and listen in class.

Correct or Incorrect? Dad got the chicken pox; we cancelled our fishing trip.

Correct or Incorrect? After the wedding; the guests attended the reception.

Count off 1-6 so we can arrange into 6 groups.

Each group will write 6 short, choppy sentences on the following topics: 1. Astronauts 2. Pizza 3. Ice skating 4. Thunderstorms 5. Sheep 6. Cincinnati Bengals

Now trade sentences with another group. Combine the short, choppy sentences into compound sentences using a semicolon.