Punctuation

Meet Period What it does: Separates ideas. What it “says”: “We are done with this thought. Let’s move on.” What it cannot do: Connect ideas It’s kind of like a: Wall that divides two properties

Meet Comma What it does: Joins a smaller idea to the main idea What it “says”: “And one more thing that connects here...” What it cannot do: Connect two big ideas (ICs) It’s kind of like a: Hook connecting a train car to the engine

Meet Semicolon What it does: Combines two related main ideas (ICs) What it “says”: “Hey you, come back!” “But wait, there’s more!” What it cannot do: Join a dependent clause to an independent clause It’s kind of like a: “holy palmer’s kiss” Welding joint between two pieces of metal

Meet Colon What it does: Presents something after a setup, bringing emphasis to the idea that follows. What it “says” “Guess what...” “Look what’s behind this curtain!” What it cannot do: End the sentence. It’s kind of like a: Drumroll before a big moment Magician pulling a rabbit from his hat

Listen up: You should know this fact: a colon can be used to introduce and emphasize important ideas EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO LIST Here is one more reminder: there is not always a list after a colon. Something else besides a list can come after a colon: one really important statement.

Try this: Holicong “sevvies” must remember one thing: obey and serve the ninth graders. Teachers repeat the same refrain all year: be quiet. Sometimes there is only one right way to act: properly There he was, standing right in front of me: Blum- tober-fest.

Try this: Holicong “sevvies” must remember one thing: Teachers repeat the same refrain all year: Sometimes there is only one right way to act: There he was, standing right in front of me:

Semicolons and Colons

Which one of these is incorrect?