Punctuation Choices for Impact - Semi-Colons and Colons PowerPoint1.pptx

A great presentation for punctuations!

1. Punctuation Choices for Impact: Colons and Semi-Colons

2. Punctuation How many punctuation marks can you name? Write a list, and draw the mark beside each one. Did you remember all these? . Full stop “” Speech marks / Inverted commas , Comma ; Semi-colon ? Question mark : Colon ! Exclamation mark () Brackets – Dash ’ Apostrophe - Hyphen … Ellipsis

3. Why Use Varied Punctuation? Looking back at your writing analysis, you will probably find that commas, full stops, question marks and quotation marks are your most used forms of punctuation. But what about semi-colons and colons. Are you using them at all? You will probably also find that your sentences are generally short, single-clause ones. : ; Semi-colons and colons are a great way to create extended sentences and more complex sentence types.

4. Rules for Semi-Colons and Colons Many students shy away from using semi-colons and colons because they aren’t certain how and when to use them. However, there are some simple rules for one of their uses. Both semi-colons and colons are used to show a close relationship between two main clauses . In other words, they can be used instead of putting two smaller sentences in or using a conjunction. For example: Mo was cold. The wind blew icily. could also be written as Mo was cold because the wind blew icily. or as Mo was cold; the wind blew icily.

5. Rules for Semi-Colons and Colons A semi-colon can be used to connect two equally weighted ideas together, rather than having them in separate, smaller sentences. For example: The music was loud. I couldn’t get to sleep. could also be written as The music was loud; I couldn’t get to sleep. Independent sentences but closely linked ideas.

6. Rules for Semi-Colons and Colons A colon can be used to connect a main clause with another clause, a phrase or a word. It shows the close relationship between the two things. A colon is used to join two main clauses together when the second clause is a further explanation of the first. For example: I hated one thing about school. I hated homework! could also be written as I hated one thing about school: I hated homework! or even, for real impact: I hated one thing about school: homework! Two main clauses but with a close relationship – the second is an explanation of the first.

7. Have a Go! Give your writing impact! Using the following simple sentences, create five complex ones using semi-colons and colons . Faiza knew what the problem was. The boy had a fear of spiders. Jamie loved his new shoes. He wore them to the prom. The shrubs wilted in the sun. It hadn’t rained for days. The snow fell in great drifts. He wouldn’t be able to get home. The news was devastating to Reyhana . She thought she’d locked the door.

8. Have a Go! Answers The two sentences are connected ideas. The second sentence explains the first, so you need a colon. Faiza knew what the problem was. The boy had a fear of spiders. Faiza knew what the problem was: fear of spiders.

9. Have a Go! Answers The two sentences are about the same subject, but the second doesn’t explain or expand on the first. It is its own independent idea. Use a semi-colon. Jamie loved his new shoes. He wore them to the prom. Jamie loved his new shoes; he wore them to the prom.

10. Have a Go! Answers The two sentences are connected ideas and the second sentence explains the first. Use a colon. The shrubs wilted in the sun. It hadn’t rained for days. The shrubs wilted in the sun: it hadn’t rained for days.

11. Have a Go! Answers The two sentences are about the same subject, but the second doesn’t explain or expand on the first. It is its own independent idea. Use a semi-colon. The snow fell in great drifts. He wouldn’t be able to get home. The snow fell in great drifts; he wouldn’t be able to get home.

12. Have a Go! Answers The two sentences are connected ideas and the second sentence explains the first. Use a colon. The news was devastating to Reyhana . She thought she’d locked the door. The news was devastating to Reyhana : she thought she’d locked the door.

13. Have a Go! Now, try writing two sentences of your own using a semi-colon and a colon .