1. The Use and Misuse of Semicolons By: Ashley Gay, Lindsay Newsome, Ashley Joyce, and Boyd Saunders

2. Definition of Semicolons Semicolons are used to separate closely related independent clauses without using a comma or a period. An independent clause can stand by itself as a sentence.

3. Usage of Semicolons To connect two independent clauses is done by the use of semicolons and conjunctive adverbs like however, moreover, nevertheless, and therefore. Semicolons can be used instead of a period to separate sentences where a conjunction has been left out.

4. Usage of Semicolons Example Comma Splice: The winds grew too strong, we were forced to leave. Comma Splice: The winds grew too strong, we were forced to leave. Right Way: The winds grew too strong; we were forced to leave. Right Way: The winds grew too strong; we were forced to leave.

5. Usage of Semicolons A semicolon can be used instead of a dependent word before the independent clauses. Semicolons can also be used within two sentences that are joined by a conjunction but it must have one or more commas within the first sentence.

6. Usage of Semicolons Example I invited several well known writers to dinner last night: Herman Melville, who brought fresh whole blubber; Emily Dickenson, who refused the appetizer; and William Shakespeare, the Bard of Avon.

7. Misuse of Semicolons A lot of times one uses semicolons to string together separate thoughts and incidentally make one sentence. Semicolons are helpful punctuation that tie independent clauses together with out using conjunctions.

8. Misuse of Semicolons The wrong way to use semicolons is set in a fashion were the comma should have been placed between independent and dependent clauses.

9. Misuse of Semicolons Semicolons are placed where commas should be place like when using and, for, nor, or, but, and so The semicolon should also be punctuated correctly when using some of the following: although, therefore, as a result, and consequently

10. Works Citied The Semicolon. 08 Dec. 2005 http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/se micolon.htm http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/se micolon.htm http://webster.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/se micolon.htm “The Keables Guide.” Semicolons and Colons. 08 Dec. 2005 http://www.iolani.honolulu.hi.us/Keables/Keables Guide/PartFour/SemicolonsandColons.htm http://www.iolani.honolulu.hi.us/Keables/Keables Guide/PartFour/SemicolonsandColons.htm http://www.iolani.honolulu.hi.us/Keables/Keables Guide/PartFour/SemicolonsandColons.htm Using Semicolons. 08 Dec. 2005 http://www.stark.kent.edu/writing/semicolons.htm http://www.stark.kent.edu/writing/semicolons.htm