1. Burkett – English IV Standards Addressed: 12.L.2a 12.W.1c
Basic Semicolon Rules
Burkett – English IV
Standards Addressed:
12.L.2a
12.W.1c

2. Use Semicolons in the following ways:
1. To separate items in a series if any of the items contains a comma.
Example: Sharks love to eat shrimp, whales, and surfers; swim in the open ocean; and star in movies depicting blood, gore, and Samuel L. Jackson.

3. Use Semicolons in the following ways:
To separate independent clauses joined by a conjunction if either of the independent clauses contains a comma.
Example: I got lost outside of Atlanta last year; I got yelled at by my wife, laughed at by a cab driver, and robbed by a thief.

4. Use Semicolons in the following ways:
To join two related independent clauses if no conjunction is used.
Example: Some people invest in a 401(k); others invest in a Roth IRA.

5. Use semicolons in the following ways:
Before a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, hence, consequently), or a parenthetical expression that joins the clauses of a compound sentence.
Example: Don’t go chasing waterfalls; moreover, please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you are used to. I know that you’re going to have it your way, or nothing at all; however, I think you’re moving too fast.

6. Semicolon Group Activity
Use the following model sentences (in order) to construct a paragraph using 4 semicolons, 4 commas, 3 periods, and 1 “however”.
1. Farm animals are adored by children
2. young ones look to them for comfort and love
3. Farm animals possess power and influence
4. they abuse this trust by breaking fences and tearing up lawns
5. Disobedient animals include pigs
6. sloppy critters who stink up the yard
7. sheep
8. incessant blabbers
9. bulls
10. fierce rib breakers