1. Punctuation: Colons and Semi-colons
This workshop will
Refresh your understanding of colons and semi-colons, and their function
Provide tips for the appropriate use of colons and semi-colons
Provide practice and follow-on activities for you to be able continue to improve your use of punctuation
Louise Livesey
Academic Skills Adviser
9/19/2018
Academic Skills Advice

2. Academic Skills Advice
Today’s Plan
What a colon does
What a semi-colon does
Applying the correct punctuation
Each bullet point has a click
9/19/2018
Academic Skills Advice

3. Academic Skills Advice
1.What a colon does
Signal (substitution): As he grew older Joseph found he became more paranoid in two main ways: his dislike of spending his own money, and his dislike of others spending his money. The way ahead for the organisation was quite clear: to reorganise, regroup and rethink their strategy.
info to come
about the ‘two ways’
info to come
about the ‘two ways’
info to come about
the ‘the way ahead’
Substitute for
‘that is’
9/19/2018
Academic Skills Advice

4. Academic Skills Advice
1.What a colon does
Introduction: Other factors included: rising costs of fuel and feed, labour costs, and the demographic changes in the region. The backlog in orders continued to build. One person familiar with the system likened it to a sponge: ‘It could take so much water and then no more’ Separation: The colon: uses and application
Click for intro and examples
Click for separation and example
9/19/2018
Academic Skills Advice

5. Academic Skills Advice
1.What a colon does
TALKING POINT
A. This leads us to another very important development in town planning the arrival of out-of-town shopping centres. This leads us to another very important development in town planning: the arrival of out-of-town shopping centres. B. Shuffle or wilt: a reluctant jogger’s guide to running. Shuffle or wilt: a reluctant jogger’s guide to running. C. Tomlinson was correct when he made the statement ‘urban planners should always aim to avoid demolishing historic buildings.’ Tomlinson was correct when he made the statement: ‘urban planners should always aim to avoid demolishing historic buildings. D. Among town planners today, there is one buzzword sustainability. Among town planners today, there is one buzzword: sustainability E. The respondent claimed: “The feedback can be a bit vague and difficult to understand.” The respondent claimed: “The feedback can be a bit vague and difficult to understand.”
Click for each questions and answer as a pair
9/19/2018
Academic Skills Advice

6. Academic Skills Advice
2.What a semi-colon does
The communication of this strategy to the satellite companies involved a
great number of slogans; ‘continuous improvement’; ‘benchmarking’;
‘learning organization’; ‘common approach’; and ‘we’re in it for the long haul’.
9/19/2018
Academic Skills Advice

7. Academic Skills Advice
2.What a semi-colon does
TALKING POINT
A. In some societies, homes need to be built to accommodate a range of family structures that include extended families; nuclear families; and single-parent households.
In some societies, homes need to be built to accommodate a range of family structures that include extended families; nuclear families; and single-parent households.
B. Fares were offered to Corfu, the Greek island; Elba, in the Mediterranean; and Paris.
Fares were offered to Corfu, the Greek island; Elba, in the Mediterranean; and Paris.
C. In some societies, homes need to be built to accommodate a range of family structures that include extended families nuclear families and single-parent households.
Click for each pair of question and answer
9/19/2018
Academic Skills Advice

8. Activity 1: Find the mistakes
3. Applying the correct punctuation
Activity 1: Find the mistakes
This brings me to my final point: the repercussions of local government initiatives have not always been carefully considered.
The problem was not confined to one area; it was widespread throughout the country.
The drive to create a sustainable environment raises a serious question: to what extent should function take precedence over form?
People who argue that cities are becoming overcrowded should ask themselves why.
B is right
9/19/2018
Academic Skills Advice

9. Activity 1: Punctuation in the right place
3. Applying the correct punctuation
Activity 1: Punctuation in the right place
Jones (2015) would have us believe the student loan system: “ensures money generated through taxation can be spent on those that have need of it.”
He likes to play video games: his favourite is Pong.
To make the perfect jam sandwich you need three things: bread, butter and raspberry jam.
The report focuses on three issues: how reliable public transport systems are; what measures would be most effective in reducing traffic congestion; and whether parking facilities are adequate.
This brings me to my final point: the repercussions of local government initiatives have not always been carefully considered.
Student engagement: influences, definition and consequences.
The problem was not confined to one area: it was widespread throughout the country.
In later life, Kerry-Anne found there were three qualities she disliked in other people: Britishness; superior airs; and a lack of interest in her red hair.
Click for each answer
9/19/2018
Academic Skills Advice

10. Activity : You’re the tutor
3. Applying the correct punctuation
Activity : You’re the tutor
The Thomas Jefferson Building, one of the three buildings which constitutes the Library of Congress, is one of the loveliest buildings on Capitol Hill: its architecture and the art within its walls help contribute to the beauty of this magnificent building. Of course, the Library of Congress is mostly famous for one thing: its incredible collection of books. It acquires more than 10, 000 new items per working day! As mentioned previously, there are three buildings that make up the Library of Congress: the Thomas Jefferson Building, named after Thomas Jefferson; the Adams Building, after John Adams; and the Madison Building, named after James Madison. Though all three of these buildings are visually distinct, all have the same primary purpose: to house books, films, maps, and other forms of information for the United States. Whilst being given a tour in 1995, Louise Livesey, the incumbent President, said: “I’ve got a headache just thinking about all the books here.”
Click for answer
9/19/2018
Academic Skills Advice

11. Academic Skills Advice
Question: who can you go to in the university for proof-reading, assignment checking or assisted editing?
Nobody
CLICK FOR ANSWER
9/19/2018
Academic Skills Advice

12. Academic Skills Advice
References
Harrison, M., Jakeman, V. and Paterson, K. (2012) Improve your grammar. Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan.
Lucy and Maeve. (2009) Colon. Accessed 2 July 2014.
Lucy and Maeve. (2009) Semi-colon. Accessed 2 July 2014.
Savage, D. (2007) Endangered. Accessed 16 June 2014.
Truss, L. (2005) Eats, shoots and leaves. 2nd ed. London, Profile Books Ltd.
Using Colons and Semi-colons. (2014) Colon or semicolon.
Accessed 9 December 2014.
9/19/2018
Academic Skills Advice

13. Academic Skills Advice Service
Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23. Give us a call or come speak to us Monday-Thursday 10am-12pm and 1pm-4pm
Who am I? Louise, the dedicated workshop adviser.
Who can help me with study and writing skills? Lucy and Russell run Instant Study Skills Advice sessions Monday-Thursday and Writing Skills Clinics twice a week. You can also access self-help resources on our webpage.
Who can give me maths advice? Helen and Michael specialise in Maths support for students though clinics and pre-booked appointments.
How do I get in touch? Telephone:
19/09/2018
Academic Skills Advice

14. Academic Skills Advice
Any questions?
Produced by Louise Livesey May 2014
9/19/2018
Academic Skills Advice