1. Semicolons To join two closely related independent clauses that do not have a coordinating conjunction – A heart attack is a medical emergency; immediate attention and care is required.

2. Practice Kyle Maynard has a rare disorder called “congenital amputation”; he has been limbless since birth. – The semicolon is separating two independent clauses.

3. Practice Kyle has traveled cross-country as a motivational speaker; won an ESPN ESPY Award, a Courage Award, and wrestling awards and modeled for Vanity Fair and Abercrombie & Fitch. – The semicolon is breaking up a lengthy sentence.

4. Colons After a salutation in a business letter – Dear Judge Parker: – Dear Governor Whitman: Between the hours, minutes, and seconds of a number indicating time 8:30 p.m. 9:45 a.m. 10:24:55

5. Colons: Practice Whether it’s 12:00 midnight, 12:00 noon, or any hour between, the Orloj will astound you with its moving statues.

6. Colons Use a colon to emphasize a word, phrase, clause or sentence that explains or adds impact to the main clause. – The newest candidates announced their platforms today: Lower taxes and more efficient services are the consistent themes.

7. Colons To introduce a list – I got all the proper equipment: scissors, a bucket of water to keep things clean, some cotton for the stuffing, and needle and thread to sew it up.

8. Semicolons Before a conjunctive adverb (with a comma after) when the word connects two independent clauses in a compound sentence – I know that I need to finish the research for my essay; however, our Internet service is down and the library is closed on Sunday.

9. Semicolons To separate groups of words that already contain commas – Every Saturday night my little brother gathers up his things-goggles, shower cap, and snorkel; bubble bath, soap, and shampoo; tapes, stereo, and rubber duck- and heads for the tub.

10. Apostrophes For some, a mountain’s icy walls or frozen waterfalls are a real test. Shows possession

11. Apostrophes A climber’s tools include crampons, hard boots, an ice pick, ice screws, cold-weather clothes and goggles. Shows possession

12. Apostrophes Girl’s guitar (one girl) Girls’ guitar (two girls)

13. Apostrophes Boss’s order (one boss) Bosses’ order (two bosses)

14. Apostrophes Hoshi, Linda, and Nakiva’s water skis – All three own one pair of skis Hoshi’s, Linda’s, and Nakiva’s water skis – Each person owns their own set of skis