Semi-Colon, Colon, and Parenthesis

1. Semi-Colon, Colon, and Parenthesis

2. Semi-Colon • 1). Two Independent Clauseswith connective meaning • Example: • I went to the carnival with my grandmother; she was the worst date ever!

3. Semi-Colon • 2). Conjunctive Adverbs: however, moreover, therefore, consequently, otherwise, nevertheless, thus • Example: • I went to the carnival with my grandmother; therefore, I had a terrible time.

4. Semi-Colon • 3). Avoid Confusion: Sometimes sentences will have too many commas. • Example: • We went to Chicago, Illinois; Austin, Texas; and San Francisco, California for our road trip.

5. Practice – Place semi-colons where necessary. Explain why the sentence needed one. • I’m not a good man however, I’m not the worst either. • I was busy cleaning the house, inviting the guests, and cooking the meals, also, I was told to buy fruit, vegetables, and drinks. • The service learning project is almost finished what a nightmare! • On our road trip we travelled to Washington, D.C., Maryland, Boston, Massachusetts, and Springfield, Illinois. • The mock trial was very interesting to watch expressive personalities that I never knew of my students came out.

6. Colon • 1). Presenting a List of Items: • Example: You need to bring three things to the campsite: clothing, a sleeping bag, and a toothbrush.

7. Colon • 2). When you’re elaborating on something stated before the colon • Example: • I believe in two things: the power of nature and the unpredictability of man.

8. Colon • 3). When you’re introducing a quotation after an independent clause • Example: • I try to live by a quote from Gone With the Wind: “After all, tomorrow is another day!”

9. Parenthesis • Use Parenthesis to Enclose Supplemental Information, e.g. asides, tangents, afterthoughts. • Example: • For the last five years (some say longer), the house on the hill has been haunted.