Punctuation l Please copy the following information into

Punctuation l Please copy the following information into the “…Hmmm!” section of your English Notebook.

Punctuation as Traffic Signals. Period = Stop Sign Come to a full stop. Then go on. No rolling through the intersection. , Comma = Flashing Yellow Light Slow down, look left and right, then continue. ; Semicolon = Flashing Red Light Stop briefly; forge ahead. : Colon = Arrow or Road Sign Listen up! What follows explains or adds information

Semicolons In sentences, semicolons (; ) are flashing red lights. They make readers apply the brakes before going on. Put one space after a semicolon. l Use semicolons… l To link two closely related thoughts: l l Of course my stomach’s tore up; I’m constipated, dawg. l To separate two main clauses: l Many criminals leave clues; detectives follow the trail.

Semicolons (You could also turn these two thoughts into separate sentences, or link them with a conjunction—and, yet, but, for, nor, so, because). l Use semicolons… l To separate a list of items that already includes commas, such as names and titles or cities and states: l The Rancho Cucamonga Country Club’s new members are Rose Harper, president; Hans Klaus, vice president; Leticia Chen, treasurer.

Semicolons Buy our Wild Vacation Package for Sleepy Eye, Minnesota; Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania; and Snowflake, Arizona. l Use semicolons… l To separate a sentence that is long and complex. l Kevin moved his mother to a small condo at the beach; this forced a disposal of many of her belongings so she could comfortably live in her new, smaller dwelling.

Punctuation l Please copy the following information about commas into the “…Hmmm!” section of your English Notebook.

l Commas (, ) signal a pause in the action, like a flashing yellow light. Generally, use a comma when the subject changes. Put one space after a comma. Use commas… l After a long introductory phrase or clause. l While eating last week’s leftovers, Daniel watched MTV’s Viva. l To separate elements in a list or series (called serial commas).

Commas l Commas help make ideas clear. l Justine says a good job has music, a break room, and cute guys. l Unclear: l Brittany shopped in the children’s maternity and toy departments. l Clear: l Brittany shopped in the children’s, maternity, and toy departments.