American Literature B. Semicolons and Colons

Key concept: The Colon

Use a colon before a list of items following an independent clause. Examples Dolley Madison entertained all kinds of people: politicians, diplomats, and the general public. Her husband, James Madison, was many things: congressman, President, and writer of the Federalist papers. The United States government has three branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial. Details Without A Colon Dolley Madison entertained all kinds of people, including politicians, diplomats, and the general public. (There is no independent clause, so no colon is used.) The United States government consists of the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch. Make sure that an independent clause precedes the list before you insert a colon. The independent clause before a list often begins or ends in a phrase such as the following or the following items, signaling the need for a colon.

Semicolon

Usually, separate independent clauses are joined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction. Example The First Lady is married to the President, but her role is also very important. (But is a coordinating conjunction.) However, sometimes semicolons are used to connect two independent clauses containing similar or contrasting ideas. Often, the independent clauses connected by a semicolon are similar to each other in structure as well as in meaning.

Colons

used as an introductory device to point ahead to additional information, for clarification, and in other special situations.

Items in a series

A list of three or more elements that are usually arranged in parallel form (e.g., planes, trains, and automobiles). She read inspirational works; nonfiction, including historical accounts; and she turned to her husband, John, for further instruction.

Appositive

A noun or noun phrase that follows another noun immediately or defines or amplifies its meaning

Conjunctive Adverbs

Adverbs that act like conjunctions; therefore they connect the information in two clauses or sentences. Conjunctive Adverbs We think of Washington, D.C., as the nation's capital; however, the capital used to be in New York City. Then, the capital moved to Philadelphia; therefore, the First Family moved as well.

Michelle Obama has promoted various causes homeless shelters, education, organic gardening, and issues facing military families. Where should a colon be inserted to make this sentence correct?

After Causes Use a colon before a list of items following an independent clause.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? literacy

Barbara Bush focused much of her energy on a cause near to her heart: literacy. Use a colon to introduce an appositive that follows an independent clause.

John Adams

For a time, President John Adams served a diplomatic post in Paris; Abigail Adams lived there with him, observing the manners of the French; and both of them observed social courtesies. Notice that the semicolons are used to separate the three major parts of the series. Commas are used within the major parts to set off modifying participial phrases, certain appositives, and adjective clauses.

Ted Kennedy championed various causes an increase in the minimum wage, health care reform, and immigration reform. Which change should be made to correct the punctuation in this sentence?

Insert a colon between causes and an. .Use a colon before a list of items following an independent clause.

Laura Bush was an active first lady she advocated for women's health and promoted education. Which is the best way to rewrite this sentence?

Laura Bush was an active first lady: She advocated for women's health and promoted education Use a colon to introduce a sentence that summarizes or explains the sentence before it.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly? book title

Many of Bush's experiences are chronicled in her book Barbara Bush: A Memoir. Use a colon between the title and subtitle of a book to introduce the information in the subtitle.

Which is the best way to correct the punctuation in this sentence?

Michelle Obama gained public support during her first months as first lady; in fact, she became a role model. Use a semicolon to join independent clauses separated by a transitional expression such as in fact.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

Michelle Obama has lived in Chicago, IL; Princeton, NJ; Cambridge, MA; and Washington, D.C. Use a semicolon to avoid confusion when independent clauses or items in a series already contain commas.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

Michelle Obama is the wife of the 44th president she is the first African American first lady. incorrect Michelle Obama is the wife of the 44th president; she is the first African American first lady. correct Michelle Obama is the wife of the 44th president, she is the first African American first lady. incorrect Use a semicolon to join independent clauses that are not already joined by the conjunction and, but, for, not, or, so, or yet.

Michelle Obama was reluctant to become involved in politics however, she is a popular first lady. Which is the best way to correct the punctuation in this sentence?

Michelle Obama was reluctant to become involved in politics; however, she is a popular first lady. Use a semicolon to join independent clauses separated by a conjunctive adverb such as however.

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

Michelle Obama, who is a lawyer, has achieved much; who knows what else she might accomplish? Use a semicolon to avoid confusion when independent clauses already contain commas.

Ted Kennedy fought a brain tumor for over a year however he died on August 25, 2009. Which is the best way to correctly punctuate this sentence?

Ted Kennedy fought a brain tumor for over a year; however, he died on August 25, 2009. Use a semicolon to join independent clauses separated by either a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression.

In which sentence is the phrase in quotes introduced correctly?

Ted Kennedy had a nickname: "the Lion of the Senate." The phrase "the Lion of the Senate" is a formal appositive that follows an independent clause

In which sentence is all punctuation correct? reference

Ted Kennedy was a United States Senator from Massachusetts; he served nine terms in the Senate Use a semicolon to join independent clauses that are not already joined by the conjunction and, but, for, not, or, so, or yet.

In which sentence is the quotation introduced correctly?

The majority leader wrote about the first lady's accomplishments: "She has earned my respect." Use a colon to introduce a quotation that is formal or lengthy or a quotation that does not contain a "he said/she said" expression.

What part of this sentence, italicized here, has been set off by commas? Ida McKinley, the First Lady, was adored by her husband; by all accounts, he was very attentive to her needs.

The proper noun, the First Lady, is an appositive. Appositives are nouns or pronouns placed after another noun or pronoun to identify, rename, or explain the preceding word.

Special Situation Requiring Colons

Time expressed in numerals 7:10 p.m. 12:01 a.m. References to periodicals (volume number: page number) Psychology Today; 24:189 Science169:611-612 Biblical references (chapter number: verse number) Deuteronomy 4:11 Subtitles of books and magazines The Causes of World War I: A Chronology of Events Salutations in business letters Gentlemen: Dear Ms. Willis: Labels used to signal important ideas Warning: Trespassers will be prosecuted.

Key Concept: Colon

Use a colon to introduce a formal appositive that follows an independent clause. A colon is a stronger mark than a comma, so using a colon gives more emphasis to the appositive it introduces. Example Mrs. Lincoln strongly supported the main Union policy: antislavery.The chart illustrates other uses of the colon

Key Concept: Semicolons and Colons

Use a colon to introduce a quotation that is formal or lengthy or a quotation that does not contain a "he said / she said" expression. Examples In The Living White House, Rosalynn Carter writes about the history of the White House: "I also have found real pleasure in learning the details about the furniture of the Federal period. "Helen Taft said about her husband: "It has always been my ambition to see Mr. Taft President of the United States." A casual quoted remark or dialogue should be introduced by a comma, even if lengthy. Use a colon only for more formal quotations and for those without "he said / she said" expressions.

Key Concept: Colon

Use a colon to introduce a sentence that summarizes or explains the sentence before it. Example Mary Todd Lincoln was very active during the Civil War: She visited hospitals, read to the soldiers, wrote them letters, and raised money. As you see in this example, the colon serves as an introductory device for the sentence that amplifies the preceding sentence. Notice that a capital letter follows the colon because the words following make a complete sentence.

Key Concept Semi-Colon

Use a semicolon to avoid confusion when independent clauses or items in a series already contain commas.

Key Concepts: Semicolons and Colons

Use a semicolon to join independent clauses separated by either a conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression. Conjunctive adverbs are adverbs used as conjunctions to connect independent clauses. Common conjunctive adverbs are also, consequently, furthermore, however, namely, nevertheless, therefore, and thus. Transitional expressions are expressions that connect one independent clause with another. Transitional expressions include as a result, at this time, first, for instance, in fact, on the other hand, second, and that is.

Key Concept: Semi-Colon

Use a semicolon to join independent clauses that are not already joined by the conjunction and, but, for, not, or, so, or yet. The semicolon is a stronger punctuation mark than a comma. It replaces both the comma and the conjunction. Do not capitalize the word following the semicolon unless the word is a proper noun or a proper adjective. Example Ida McKinley was a First Lady; she was married to President William McKinley.

Transitional Expressions

Words (such as meanwhile, although, furthermore, and for example) that show connections and build paragraph coherence Martha Washington entertained graciously; in fact, she set a precedent for First Ladies. She enjoyed her role as hostess; on the other hand, there was a great deal of pressure to set a good example.

semicolon

a punctuation mark (;) indicating a pause, typically between two main clauses, that is more pronounced than that indicated by a comma.

Independent clauses

expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence (main clause), clause with a subject and a predicate that expresses a complete thought that make sense by itself, but which are joined by coordinating conjunctions because they are related. Abigail Adams, who was descended from a prestigious family, had little formal education; still she was an eager reader.