1. Comma, Colons, and Semicolons
Punctuation Lesson

2. Who Cares?
Using punctuation is like pausing between words and ideas when you speak.
Imagine if you didn’t take pause between words and sentences when speaking.
Would that be effective communication?

3. , Commas Separate items in a series. Set off interrupting information.
Examples
Will there be drinks, snacks, and games at the party?
Chicago, the largest city in Illinois, is home to almost three million people.

4. Interrupting Information
Nonessential phrases may come at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.
Examples
On a beautiful spring day, they had a picnic.
Picnics, an old tradition, can be a lot of fun.
Dad grilled ribs, the big ones from Costco.

5. ; Semicolons Semicolons join independent clauses.
It’s also like using the word furthermore. ;
Examples
My mom said I couldn’t go to the party; I didn’t want to go anyway.

6. Use semi-colons between items in a list that already involve commas.
I have lived in Chicago, Illinois; Kansas City, Missouri; and Omaha, Nebraska.
The sweaters I bought today were purple, blue, and green; yellow, white, and red; and pink, black, and grey.

7. Colons : Colons introduce lists and explanations.
It’s also like using the words “and here it is” or “and here they are.”

8. Use a colon after an independent clause when introducing a list.
The catering facility offers the following entrees: fried catfish, grilled chicken, pan-seared salmon, and sirloin steak.

9. Use a colon after an independent clause when introducing a quotation.
My teacher’s remark on my final essay was very complimentary: “This essay coherently analyzes musical trends of the late 20th century.”

10. Use a colon between two independent clauses when you want to emphasize the second clause.
I don’t understand why everyone shops at that store: everything there is so expensive.

11. Practice Write the following sentences.
Punctuate them as best as you can.

12. 1
My sister Amy my friend Kyle and I went to the park

13. 2
I brought a lot of stuff food drinks and blankets

14. 3
My aunt Sally who is my favorite aunt talked to my mom

15. 4
Most fruits are low in fat they are also high in vitamins

16. 5
When we left the park the one at the end of the block we went home.

17. Which sentences are correct?
a. The new house was: modern, spacious and luxurious. b. Our new house looked: modern, spacious and luxurious. c. I like a new house to be all of the following: modern, spacious and luxurious. d. All the houses on the new estate were: modern, spacious and luxurious.

18. Which sentences are correct?
a) Give me: mushrooms, cheese, ham and coleslaw. b) I love: mushrooms, cheese, ham and coleslaw. c) I love a huge breakfast: mushrooms, cheese, ham and coleslaw. d) Bring me a huge breakfast: mushrooms, cheese, ham and coleslaw.