COLON A colon means "that is to say" or "here's what I mean." Colons and semicolons should never be used interchangeably.

RULE 1: THE SERIES Use a colon to introduce a series of item. Do not capitalize the first item after the colon (unless it is a proper noun). EXAMPLES: You may be required to bring many tools to class: index cards, notebook paper, textbooks, pens and pencils. I want the following presents for Christmas: running shoes, a Pandora bracelet, an iPhone 6, and tickets to Disney. I need students who will do the following: compose essays, read my essay notes, and learn from their mistakes.

RULE 2: NEVER AFTER A VERB Avoid using a colon before a list when it directly follows a verb or preposition. Incorrect: I want: a turkey sandwich, an apple, and a drink. Correct: I want the following: a turkey sandwich, an apple, and a drink. OR I want a turkey sandwich, an apple, and a drink. Incorrect: I’ve seen the greats, including: The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, and Van Halen. Correct: I’ve seen the greats, including The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, and Van Halen.

R ULE 3: L ISTS, O NE P ER L INE When listing items one by one, one per line, following a colon, capitalization and ending punctuation are optional when using single words or phrases preceded by letter, numbers, or bullet points. If each point is a complete sentence, capitalize the first word and end the sentence with appropriate ending punctuation. Otherwise, there are no hard and fast rules, except be consistent. Examples: I want an assistant who can do the following: a. input grades b. call parents c. grade papers

R ULE #3 L ISTS, O NE P ER L INE C ONT. The following are requested: Wool sweaters for possible cold weather. Wet suits for snorkeling. Introductions to the local dignitaries. These are the pool rules: 1. Do not run. 2. If you see unsafe behavior, report it to the lifeguard. 3. Did you remember your towel?

R ULE #4: A colon instead of a semicolon may be used between independent clauses when the second sentence explains, illustrates, paraphrases, or expands on the first sentence. Example: He got what he worded for: he really earned that promotion. If a complete sentence follows a colon, as in the previous example, it is up to the writer to decide whether to capitalize the first word. Capitalizing a sentence after a colon is generally a judgment call; if what follows a colon is closely related to what precedes it, there is no need for a capital letter. *I never capitalize it unless it is a quotation that includes a capital letter. NOTE: A capital letter generally does not introduce a simple phrase following a colon. Example: He got what he worked for: a promotion.

R ULE #5: S HORT Q UOTATIONS Colons are often used to introduce a direct quotation when the quotation follows an independent clause. Example: The teacher used a quotation form President Franklin Roosevelt: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Do not use a colon if the quotation is part of the independent clause. Example: Franklin Roosevelt, said, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

R ULE #6: B LOCK Q UOTATIONS A colon may be used to introduce a block quotation, a quotation three lines or longer. MLA requires writers indent one-half inch on the left margin. Quotations marks are not used for block quotes. Example: Fraser tries to convince us that by reasonable cutting back, most of the problems would be solved: But the problem really isn’t meat, but too much meat —overgrazing, overfishing and overconsumption. If Americans just ate less meat, the problem could be alleviated without giving up meat entirely. (32) NOTE: The period is placed directly after the quotation and before the page number.

R ULE #6: B LOCK P OETRY Q UOTATIONS When citing long sections of poetry, keep formatting as close to the original as possible. Example : In his poem "My Papa's Waltz," Theodore Roethke explores his childhood with his father: The whiskey on your breath Could make a small boy dizzy; But I hung on like death: Such waltzing was not easy. We Romped until the pans Slid from the kitchen shelf; My mother's countenance Could not unfrown itself. (quoted in Shrodes, Finestone, Shugrue 202)