9th grade colons

Introduction of the use of colons

1. Punctuation The : (Colon)

2. What do these sentences have in common? She whispered in my ear: “Haven’t you earned your PhD?” There are three countries beginning with Z: Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The nightclub played many different types of music: rock, hip-hop, and jazz.

3. The : (Colon) The : (colon) is a punctuation mark that is used to precede a list of items, a quotation, or an expansion or explanation. Example: I need to buy these three items for the graduation party: streamers, balloons, and napkins.

4. The : (Colon) in Lists The : (colon) is used for a list especially after these words: such as, the following, or as follows. (Note: these words DO NOT have to be present to use a colon.) The : (colon) will not be needed if a list follows a verb or a preposition. Example: Amanda wore a shirt, jeans, and boots for the hiking trip. Example: Amanda took specific clothes for the hiking trip such as: boots, jeans, and a shirt. Example: Amanda took five specific items of clothing: 2 pairs of socks, 2 shirts, 1 pair of pants, and 1 pair of shorts.

5. The : (Colon) in Quotes The : (colon) is used for a for a quote when the sentence before the quote is an independent clause (containing a noun and a verb, and it makes sense by itself.) Example: She said, “Don’t pass notes in class.” Example: My teacher’s remark on my final essay was very harsh: “This essay is unreadable since the writing is the sloppiest I have ever seen.” She offered the following advice: “Don’t speed through the next small town.”

6. The : (Colon) in Explanations The : (colon) can be used between independent clauses when the second sentence explains, illustrates, paraphrases, or expands on the first sentence. (A writer might also utilize a semicolon in this instance as well.) Example: Remember the old saying: The grass is not always greener on the other side. Example: He received what he worked for: he really had to earn that PhD. Note that there is not a set rule for capitalization after the colon in combining sentences.

7. Practice Directions: Determine if the colons used in the following sentences are used in a lists, a quote, or an explanation. Make sure that you can explain your answer. We arrived earlier than we had expected: the storm turned out to just be a light drizzle. Some of my favorite colors include the following: purple, blue, black and gold. I feel crappy: I only was able to sleep for two hours. The man offered some interesting insight on the matter: “The football team wasn’t allowed to practice because the school board was more worried about their grades.”