If each point is a complete sentence, capitalize the first word and end the sentence with appropriate ending punctuation. After reading the handout, you will be better able to decide when to use these forms of punctuation in your own writing. More on these rules later, but first the infamous quote in question. When writing numbers, either a period or a space may be used to separate every three digits where a comma would be used in english. A few years ago, when i was a graduate student in english, i presented a paper at my departments american literature colloquium. Colons promise the completion of something and are used to.
Thus, it is one of the most powerful punctuation marks. A colon is also used between hours and minutes, titles and subtitles of books, city and publisher in bibliographies, in biblical citations between chapter and verse, and for salutations in business letters and other formal letter writing. The guide mandates that a capital letter follow a colon only in 2 circumstances. In writing, colon punctuation is used for one thing. Most commonly, the colon functions as an introductory punctuation mark, notifying the reader that the.
Youve probably grasped periods, question marks, exclamation points, and commas but the rules surrounding colons may seem a bit trickier. A colon can introduce the logical consequence, or effect, of a previously stated fact. You can practice your english writing and punctuation with this exercise. By may huang while the majority of sentences in published texts including this article depend on punctuation to make sense, the literary world is nonetheless no stranger to great writers who have famously forgone punctuation. To insert a colon on a traditional american keyboard, press shift and the colonsemicolon key beside the l. A colon is used to give emphasis, present dialogue, introduce lists or text, and clarify composition titles.
This handout explains the most common uses of three kinds of punctuation. In french, the period is not used after abbreviations of measurement. I think the semicolon is more easily understood if it is defined in relation to the colon rather than to the comma. They are handled differently from ordinary rules when the same target appears in more than one rule. The result is a landmark resource that will offer clear guidelines to students, writers, and editors alike.
Mary had a little lamb sometimes you will find yourself stuck and you dont know what punctuation you should use. Colons separate chapter and verse numbers in citations of passages in widely studied texts, such as epic poetry, religious. Learn the rules of writing that the largest number of readers will recognize. Click on the movie icon to the left to watch a poormans animated exercise on uses of the colon. Below is a brief summary of his stated rules for punctuation. In weak writing, there are too few or too many commas. The colon is like a sign on the highway, announcing that something important is coming. Colons look like a two periods put together, one on top of the other. To replace a semi colon between two independent clauses. Follow these 6 basic punctuation rules and they will help you to write more clearly and effectively.
Use a colon to introduce an item or a series of items. A colon is also the punctuation mark used when telling time. But as these rules remain useful to use as a quick refresher, i thought i would move the list here for just publishing advice readers to enjoy. A colon can introduce the elements of a set or list. For example, the associated press ap stylebook is a guide specific for news media and journalists while the chicago manual of style cms is used by many book publishers and writers. Include other punctuation only if it is part of the title or subtitle. Remembering the question mark and the exclamation mark 39.
I generally speak without any use of a colon or semicolon. Grammar is the structure of the writing that takes into account the syntax and linguistics, while style is the writings distinctive appearance and sound. When you insert a short list of items into a sentence, you dont need a colon. Use the colon after a complete sentence to introduce a list of items when introductory words such as namely, for example, or that is do not apply or are not appropriate. The blue book of grammar and punctuation leans towards usage rules in cms along with other authoritative texts and does not attempt to conform to the ap. A colloquium is a sort of writing workshop for graduate students. The semicolon looks like a comma with a period above it, and this can be a good way to remember what it does. The colon can be used after the first word of a sentence or just before the final word of a sentence. Under semicolon, the book says, its main role is to indicate a. Do not capitalize the first item after the colon unless its a proper noun. Mccarthy stresses that this way of writing dialogue requires particular deliberation. One of my favorite books of all times is the hobbit. Punctuation english grammar today cambridge dictionary. A colon introduces an element or series of elements that illustrates or amplifies the information that preceded the colon.
Top 10 authors who ignored the basic rules of punctuation. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. Prohibited punctuation in fiction the editors blog. Colons punctuation rules the blue book of grammar and. Use quotation marks for shorter works book chapters, articles, poems, and songs. Italicize titles of works books, magazines, newspapers, movies, plays, and cds.
However, you could place this list in a tabular format if desired. Note that if you use colons this way too often, it can break up the flow of your writing. The creepy voyeurism is starker when set off by the semicolon. The colon can also be used to introduce a grammatically independent sentence. When you write a friendly letter, put a comma after the name of the person who will receive the letter. The first word after the colon is a proper noun see first example above the colon introduces a complete sentence. When to use commas, colons, semicolons, and dashes wordvice. Avoid using a colon before a list if it directly follows a verb or preposition that would ordinarily need no punctuation in that sentence. But rules are important and made to be followed, especially in academic writing. Putting a comma between two independent clauses will confuse your readers and make your work frustrating to read. In modern english writing, a colon follows an independent clause, and is then followed by something that answers or explains that clause. While a semicolon normally joins two independent clauses to signal a close connection between them, a colon does the job of directing you to the information following it. Written english master the essentials of grammar, punctuation and spelling and write.
The two punctuation marks serve very different purposes, and should not be used interchangeably. Both sentences should be complete, and their content should be very closely related. The baseball coach claimed that his teams success stemmed from three things. The colon is one of the most clearlydefined punctuation marks. Thats because the colon signals that what comes next is. Cormac mccarthys three punctuation rules, and how they. If volumes are listed, put a comma after the series title and place the volume number at the end. Its a tricky one because the rules are scarce, leaving usage up to style guides and writers best judgement. Main titles in books are usually separated from subtitles by colons.
If you have trouble deciding when to use a colon in your writing, it helps to ask yourself if a period or question mark would be appropriate in the same location. The chicago guide to grammar, usage, and punctuation is a magisterial work, the culmination of garners lifelong study of the english language. I was speaking with a friend about punctuationwhat odd topics writers and editors end up discussingand the use of semicolons in fiction came up while a legitimate punctuation mark, the semicolon has been shunned for use in fiction, especially for dialogue. To insert a colon on a traditional american keyboard, press shift and the colon semicolon key beside the l. Ten grammar rules every writer should know writing forward. Writing stack exchange is a question and answer site for the craft of professional writing, including fiction, nonfiction, technical, scholarly, and commercial writing.
David thompson shelved 1 time as titlescontainingcolons avg rating 4. A good way to think about colons is that they lead to more information or tell. It lengthens the pause or increases the distance between two clauses that could have been linked with a comma, making them both stand out. The following list of 55 english grammar rules and writing hints was originally published on my personal blog many, many years ago. More on pacing and the semicolon the semicolon is harder than the comma. Home writing center use a colon to signal a series of words, phrases, or clauses after a complete sentence. If the sentence is already complete, you may use a colon to add a list. On semicolons and the rules of writing the millions. Kurt vonneguts caution against the use of semicolons is one of the most famous and canonical pieces of writing advice, an admonition that has become, so to speak, one of the rules. Here are ten of most frequently ignored or unknown grammar rules and writing practices. Punctuation english grammar today a reference to written and spoken english grammar and usage cambridge dictionary.
Doublecolon rules are rules written with instead of. Do not underline or put quotes around a series name. You can use a colon to connect two sentences when the second sentence summarizes, sharpens, or explains the first. It is not end punctuation like a period, exclamation mark, or question mark. When listing items one by one, one per line, following a colon, capitalization and ending punctuation are optional when using single words or phrases preceded by letters, numbers, or bullet points. The colon can also be used to introduce a grammatically. One of my favorite old grammar books, titled punctuate it right, has a wonderful name for the colon. It occasionally acts as a standin for a comma or period though when one of these other punctuation marks will do, the colon is unnecessary. How to use semicolons in fiction writing louise harnby. The colon in this case would effectively, although not immediately, follow the verb include, which is not recommended.
If you have microsoft powerpoint pc or mac version installed on your computer, you can download the powerpoint presentation on the semicolon to the right and the colon to the left. On the other hand, a wellplaced semicolon can add nuance and subtlety to any kind of writing. The chicago guide to grammar, usage, and punctuation. Colons and semicolons should never be used interchangeably. In his oprah interview, he says mackinlay kantor was the first writer he read who left them out. Grammar is decided according to hard and fast rules, but style is more personal and puts your mark on the piece of work. Colons and semicolons test this colons and semicolons test checks if you know the difference between the two. The punctuation marks comma, hyphen, colon, and period are used the way they would be used in a paragraph. Is there a legitimate reason semicolons, or any punctuation, cant be used in fiction. Use a semicolon to separate if the series title follows the subtitle or if volume and dates precede the subtitle. Another important element of news writing is grammar and style. Popular titles containing colons books showing 126 of 26 scorsese on scorsese paperback by. In modern english writing, a colon follows an independent clause, and is then followed by something that answers or explains that clause a good way to think about colons is that they lead to more information or tell the reader that more details are coming in the sentence. When a target appears in multiple rules, all the rules must be the same type.
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