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: Connects two independent clauses What it “says”: “Hold up, I’m not done yet!” What it cannot do: Join smaller ideas, like phrases or DCs, to an independent clause It’s kind of like a: A strong knot that ties two pieces of rope together

Meet Colon What it does: Sets up a point to emphasize, a list, or a quote What it “says” “Hey, listen to this: It is important!” What it cannot do: Connect two dependent clauses It’s kind of like a: Drumroll that leads up to a big reveal

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: 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: Connor Burns!

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?