1. Semi-colon
S1 Literacy Unit

2. Learning Intentions I understand when to use a semi-colon.
I can correctly use a semi-colon in my writing.

3. A semi-colon has two main functions. Let’s learn about the first one!
Semi-colons
A semi-colon has two main functions. Let’s learn about the first one!

4. Practice Time
Copy the following sentences into you jotters and put the semi-colons in the correct place.
The noblest of all dogs is the hot dog it feeds the hand that bites it.
The stern-faced judge passed sentence the poor defendant passed out.
Mary got her looks from her father she got her temper from her mother.
The father read his small son a story later on, the boy woke his father up.
I enjoy swimming my sister can‟t bear it.

5. The second function of the semi-colon is to separate items in a list.
Semi-colons
The second function of the semi-colon is to separate items in a list.

6. What’s the difference between these two lists?
On holiday I like to: eat, sleep, relax and sunbathe.
When you go on holiday you need to: pack a suitcase; check your passport is valid; buy suncream; change your money to the correct currency and book a flight!

7. Semi-colons
Semi-colons are used to separate items in this list because all the items in this list are longer phrases, not single words.
When you go on holiday you need to: pack a suitcase; check your passport is valid; buy suncream; change your money to the correct currency and book a flight!

8. Practice Time
Copy the following sentences into you jotters and put the semi-colons in the correct place.
There are so many things to do in Oban: you could visit the cinema climb the rock wall at Atlantis play in the new play park or even enjoy a hot chocolate at Costa.
This year on Halloween I saw: a man dressed as a headless knight an old fashioned vampire a zombie cheerleader and someone dressed as a Teletubbie.

9. Help the semi-colon defeat all its enemies!
Game Time
The Semi-colon Wars
Help the semi-colon defeat all its enemies!

10. HOMEWORK Complete the semi-colon quiz!
Can you work out whether the sentence needs a semi-colon or a comma?