1. BY: JOE ANDERSON, KATIE MILLER, ALEXANDER TARANTINO, FRANCES TURNER CHAPTER 25.3: SEMICOLONS AND COLONS

2. SEMICOLONS RULE #1 Sometimes two independent clauses are so closely connected in meaning that they make up a single sentence, rather than two separate sentences. Use a semicolon to join related independent clauses that are not joined by the conjunctions and, or, nor, for, but, so, or yet.

3. RULE #1: EXAMPLES Joe likes ice cream. He eats it often. Joe likes ice cream; he eats it often. Ben is gone. He went to the store to buy chocolate milk. Ben is gone; he went to the store to buy chocolate milk. I like shopping. She plays volleyball. I like shopping; she plays volleyball.

4. SEMICOLONS RULE #2 Use a semicolon to join independent clauses separated by either a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression. A list of conjunctive adverbs and transitional expressions is in your book on page 570. You should also have them in your earlier notes. Some examples are: as a result, for instance, therefore, and however.

5. RULE #2: EXAMPLES I slept in; therefore, I was late. I did not see Gracie; consequently, I could not talk to her. Don’t forget to place a comma after the conjunctive adverb or transitional expression.

6. SEMICOLONS RULE #3 Consider the use of semicolons to avoid confusion when items in a series already contain commas.

7. RULE #3: EXAMPLES I have been to Salt Lake City, Utah, New York City, New York, and Atlanta, Georgia. I have been to Salt Lake City, Utah; New York City, New York; and Atlanta, Georgia.

8. COLONS RULE #1 You should use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a list of items. Words to indicate that you should use a colon include: the following, as follows, these, and those.

9. EXAMPLES RULE #1 I love the following: ice cream, cake, and doughnuts. I am bringing these things to the park: a blanket, a basket, and a Frisbee.

10. COLONS RULE #2 In most cases, do not use a colon after a verb, and never use a colon after a preposition.

11. EXAMPLES RULE #2 These are the things that Katie’s mom brought: brownies, cakes, and cookies. Katie’s mom brought these things: brownies, cakes, and cookies.

12. COLONS RULE #3,4,5,6 Use a colon to introduce a long or formal quotation. Use a colon to separate hours and minutes. Use a colon after the salutation in a business letter. Use a colon on warnings and labels.

13. EXAMPLES RULE #3,4,5,6 Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous speech started with: “I had a dream.” 3:57 a.m. Dear Colonel Payne: Caution: Black Hole Ahead