Transcript Semicolons - Tulsa Community College

Semicolons: How important are they?
NEC FACET Center
Don’t be afraid of semicolons; they can improve
your writing!
What can
semicolons do?
Semicolons can:
• add sentence variety.
• correct run-on sentences.
• rid your writing of short,
choppy sentences.
• eliminate confusion in lists
of details.
ADD SENTENCE VARIETY
We like to construct
sentences with similar
structure, but sometimes
we need a little variety.
Semicolons can connect
two complete sentences
that share similar thoughts;
they can also connect
short, choppy sentences
and separate items in a list
when the items themselves
also contain commas.
EXAMPLE
This paragraph contains
short, choppy sentences
and long lists of items.
It’s too confusing!
My 7th birthday party was the best party I’ve ever
had. There were pony rides and a clown. There
were red and orange balloons. There were
streamers hanging from the ceiling. A giant
banner with “Happy Birthday” ran the length of the
dining room wall. The cake was chocolate with
white icing. The ice-cream was my favorite flavor:
Neapolitan. I remember the day of the party was
beautiful, sunny and bright, cloudless, breezy, and
no rain, and everyone wore shorts and t-shirts.
The best part, however, was my gift. My parents
gave me a bicycle.
PARAGRAPH REVISED
This
revision
is much
better!
My 7th birthday party was the best party I’ve ever
had. There were pony rides and a clown. In
addition to the red and orange balloons, there
were streamers hanging from the ceiling; and a
giant banner with “Happy Birthday” ran the length
of the dining room wall. The cake was chocolate
with white icing; furthermore, the ice-cream was
my favorite flavor: Neapolitan. I remember the day
of the party was beautiful, sunny and bright;
cloudless, breezy, and no rain; and everyone wore
shorts and t-shirts. The best part, however, was
my gift. My parents gave me a bicycle.
Rule
#1
Let’s practice
using
That’s
okay.
semicolons to
I’ll
show
break
up you!
runon sentences.
Hey, wait a
minute! I
don’t know
what a run-on
sentence is.
What is a run-on sentence?

When two independent clauses are joined
together without proper punctuation between
them.
Independent Clause
 Ex:
The suspicious man walked down the street
humming to himself he knew people were watching
his every move.
I’m glad you
asked;
What is an
come on, I’ll
independent clause?
show you!
Independent Clause
Clause = a group of words containing a
subject and a verb.
There are two types of clauses: Independent and
Dependent.

Independent Clause

Contains a subject, a verb, and makes a
complete thought.

Can stand alone as a sentence.
Subject: person
or thing doing
the action
Verb: action/what is
being done by the
subject
Ex: The sun rises in the east.
Complete
thought

Dependent Clause

Contains a subject and a verb but is missing a complete thought.

Cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Depends on an independent clause to complete the thought.

Is subordinate to an independent clause.
subject
verb
Ex: Although we went to the movies yesterday.
subordinating
word

Helps show the
sentence as
subordinate to an
independent clause.
This clause does not have a complete thought; therefore, it’s a
fragment rather than a complete sentence.
Wait a minute! What is
subordination?
SUBORDINATION
Subordination is when one thought in a
sentence is less important than another
thought.
Egyptian kings are
powerful,
…but not as
powerful as
Egyptian gods.
Egyptian kings
are subordinate
to Egyptian gods.
CORRECTING DEPENDENT CLAUSE FRAGMENTS
Because a dependent clause cannot stand alone,
combine it with an independent clause to complete the
thought and produce a complete sentence.
Dependent Clause
Ex: Although we went to the movies yesterday,
we still feel as though we have done nothing
during spring break.
Now we have
a complete
sentence!
Independent Clause
Use a comma only if
the dependent
clause is at the
beginning of the
sentence.
CORRECTING RUN-ON SENTENCES

The suspicious man walked down the street
humming to himself he knew people were
watching his every move.
This is a run-on sentence.
There needs to be a
sentence break.
Add a semicolon
between the two
independent
clauses!
Okay, I understand
run-ons, but how
do I fix them?
CORRECT RUN-ONS WITH A SEMICOLON
Use a semicolon to indicate a break
between two independent clauses.
Ex: The suspicious man walked down the street
humming to himself; he knew people were
watching his every move.
This rule is used when the subjects of
the two clauses are closely related.
Think of it as a continuation of your
thoughts, but they need to be broken
into 2 sentences.
MORE EXAMPLES
1.
2.
3.
The computer technician said my hard drive is
fried; it will cost hundreds of dollars to retrieve
the stored information.
FREE FLYING LESSONS TODAY!
There’s a plane in the
sky pulling a banner; it
says “FREE FLYING LESSONS TODAY!”
My brother, the musician, broke his foot last
night; he jumped off the stage during a
concert, but no one caught him!
Fix the following run-ons by inserting a semicolon
where necessary
Yesterday, my sister borrowed my car without asking;then
then
she ran over a nail and popped one of the tires.
Sylvester won the pie eating contest;he
heate
ate10
10whole
wholepies
pies
in 3 minutes.
My favorite book as a child was Tales of a Fourth Grade
Nothing
Nothing;ititwas
wasso
sofunny
funnythat
thatI Iread
readititover
overand
andover.
over.
The gel inserts in my shoes are starting to rub against my
toes,
toes; II should
should replace
replace them
them with
with new
new inserts
inserts.
Rule
#2
Sometimes our
essays are filled with
short, choppy
sentences. Let’s
talk about how to fix
them using
semicolons.
SHORT, CHOPPY SENTENCES
But I like short sentences.
They’re safe. They make
me feel like a big man. I
like to knock out long
sentences. Everyone
should speak and write in
short sentences!
Not so fast
Strongman!
They
break up
I’m writing,
going toadd
your
knock
out your
confusion,
and
short,
choppy
bore
your
reader.
sentences!
SEMICOLONS AND TRANSITION WORDS.
Use a semicolon with a transition word to
connect two closely related sentences.
Ex: The baker burnt the loaves of bread this
morning; therefore, he must start over from
scratch.
A transition can do
many things, such as
add additional
information, change
direction, show
contrast, etc.
When using a semicolon and
a transition, you must use a
comma after the transition.
OTHER TRANSITION WORDS
Consequently
On the other hand
Furthermore
Moreover
Thus
Still
In addition
As a result
Ex: Joel went to school without his
homework; consequently, he had
to stay late to make up the
assignment.
Ex: Miranda left the beauty shop
feeling like a queen; furthermore,
her friends raved all night about
her new style.
Ex: The Springfield Cardinals lost
their game against the Tulsa
Drillers; as a result, their 6-week
losing streak continues.
FIX THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES BY ADDING A
SEMICOLON, A TRANSITION WORD, AND A COMMA.
1.
Jackie’s brother wants to see the new Pixar animation
movie
will take
him
totake
see it
tomorrow.
movie;she
therefore,
she
will
him
to see it tomorrow.
2.
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers danced and sang together
in
10 films
won the
hearts
of millions
of Americans
together
in they
10 films;
thus,
they
won
the
hearts
of
th
during
20 century.
millionsthe
of early
Americans
during the early 20th century.
3.
“Soda” and “pop” are used interchangeably to describe
sweetened,
terms the
are terms
generally
sweetened, carbonated
carbonated beverages
beverages;the
however,
regional
in their
usage.in their usage.
are generally
regional
4.
Everyday, Sam rides home on the city bus;
bus he
as enjoys
a result,
the
ride
because
to “people-watch.”
he enjoys
the he
ridegets
because
he gets to “people-watch.”
Short, choppy
sentences hurt
the flow of your
writing.
Okay, I understand
how to fix short,
choppy sentences,
but tell me again
It’s better to
combine phrases why they’re bad.
and thoughts into
longer, cohesive,
correctly
punctuated
sentences.
This way your reader
won’t feel bogged
down or disinterested
in disconnected
thoughts and ideas.
Rule
#3
Sometimes when
we create lists of
items (like a
grocery list), we
also have extra
detail we need to
give about the
items.
We don’t want to
confuse the reader by
using too many
commas. So, we can
use semicolons to
separate each item.
ITEMS IN A LIST
Hey ma, give me a
PBJ with grape jelly,
purple and jiggly, no
crusts, soft middles
only, and none of
that wheat bread
stuff, all course and
grainy!
Oh yeah!
Respect
your ma,
too!
Hey kid, your
sentence is
crowded with too
many commas.
Use semicolons
to separate the
items in your list
USE SEMICOLONS TO SEPARATE LISTS OF ITEMS
ALSO CONTAINING COMMAS.
Well Mr. Knowit-All, how
should I fix this?
And be quick. I
gotta meet my
gang!
1st item uses a
comma
Who’s your
gang, the
jungle-gym
kids? And, the
name’s Punky!
Hey ma, give me a PBJ with grape jelly, purple
and jiggly, no crusts, soft middles only, and
none of that wheat bread stuff, all course and
grainy!
2nd item uses a
comma
3rd item uses a
comma
You can fix
this sentence
by separating
each item
with a
semicolon!
Also, the name
Aw is
of my gang
shucks,
the “Green
T’s”
that
‘cause we
only
wearwasn’t
green so
thard!
shirts!
Hey ma, give me a PBJ with grape jelly, purple
and jiggly; no crusts, soft middles only; and
none of that wheat bread stuff, all course and
grainy!
More Examples
The hot-air balloon soared above the trees, touching the
leaves as it passed; floated below the clouds, catching the
mist that dropped; and swept past mountains, knocking
snow off their tops.
The duck on the pushcart sped down
the sidewalk, squawking at on-lookers;
wheeled into the open streets, honking
its nose at on-coming cars; and
splashed into the cool pond, catching
air as it raced down the boat ramp.
Fix the following sentences by adding semicolons to
separate the items in the list.
The semi-annual millionaire’s
skydiving exhibition will be
held in several locations
across the U.S., including
Greenville,
Greenville, South
South Carolina,
Carolina;
Joplin, Missouri, and Normal,
Joplin, Missouri; and Normal,
Illinois.
Illinois.
Martin walked through the
pumpkin patch searching for
the perfect pumpkin. His ideal
pumpkin would be very large,
as
as big
big as
as his
his arms
arms could
could hold,
hold;
a
a gorgeous
gorgeous color,
color, bright
bright
orange with no blemishes, and
orange with no blemishes;
the right shape, perfectly
and
the
right
round
with
noshape,
dents. perfectly
round with no dents.
Additional
Rule
Off with
his head!
Tell me what
Halt! Who
this means, or
brings me this
I’ll have your
rule?
head!
You may want to use a
ItSettle
is I, Punky,
down
semicolon
with long
the
little
protector
guy; I’llof
sentences
that contain
explain
punctuation.
it to you!
other commas and a
coordinating conjunction.
Remember
how you must
We talked
Dependent Clause
use a comma to combine a
about with an
dependent
independent
independent
clause if the
dependent
clause is at the
and
dependent
water was
simply to cold
beginning
the sentence?
clauses,ofright?
Comma because the
dependent clause is
at the beginning of
the sentence.
Even though Paul loves to swim, the
today.
Independent Clause
Well, sometimes we like
to combine this
sentence with another
complete sentence by
using a coordinating
conjunction.
Even though Paul likes to swim, the water was
simply too cold today, so he will visit the
neighborhood pool tomorrow.
“So” is a
coordinating
conjunction
Let’s use a
semicolon
before “so.”
This will make
the sentence
less confusing.
This sentence may
be too confusing
with this many
commas!
Even though Paul likes to swim, the water was
simply too cold today; so he will visit the
neighborhood pool tomorrow.
Unlike the rule with
semicolons and
transition words, don’t
use a comma after a
coordinating
conjunction!
There are 7
coordinating
conjunctions:
And
But
Or
Nor
For
Yet
So
More Examples:
While I am at the store, please vacuum the living room; and
then I want you to clean the bathroom.
Since I became president of the cooking club, we have
created 6 new recipes; yet we still don’t know which one to
enter in the annual amateur chef contest.
Unless we join some extracurricular organizations, neither of
us will be receiving any awards; nor will we be allowed to
attend the banquet.
Before next season, the team will need to raise funds for new
uniforms; or they may have to play in mismatched jerseys.
Fix the following sentences by using a semicolon.
Whenever Don’s grandmother buys him new clothes, she
often
them two
two sizes
sizes too
too big
big,; so
often buys
buys them
so he
he is
is unable
unable to
to wear
wear
them
them before
before they
they go
go out
out of
of style!
style!
Since the theme of Molly’s birthday party is pinwheels,
everyone will be making their very own pinwheel to take home,
and
the
birthday
cake will
be shaped
like a pinwheel.
home
; and
the birthday
cake
will be shaped
like a pinwheel.
Fix the following sentences by using a semicolon.
Although Jimmy was enjoying the ice-cream cone, it melted all
over
over his
his new
new t-shirt,
t-shirt; but
but his
his mother
mother wasn’t
wasn’t upset
upset because
because the
the
look
look on
on Jimmy’s
Jimmy’s face
face was
was nothing
nothing but
but delight.
delight.
Since becoming independently wealthy, Lucy stays in the sun
all
all afternoon
afternoon reading
reading books,
books; for
for she
she enjoys
enjoys not
not having
having to
to work
work
a
a full-time
full-time job.
job.
Thanks
Punky, I’m
not afraid
anymore!
Remember,
semicolons can:
Following the simple
•rules
add sentence
variety.
we discussed
for
semicolon
usage
will
• correct
run-on
sentences.
help improve your
• rid your writing of short,
writing!
choppy sentences.
• eliminate confusion in lists
of details.