A lesson on commas, colons, and semicolons

Grade 6

The most important thing to remember about colons is that you only use them after statements that are complete sentences. Never use a colon after a sentence fragment. The colon is made with two periods stacked on top of one another. Colons announce. They add dramatic flourishes that introduce lists, quotations, complete sentences, and dialogue. The colon comes at a point in the sentence where the sentence could come to a complete stop. Date "colon" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1550.

 A punctuation mark used after a word to introduce lists of items Or an example Or an explanation Or after the greeting of a business letter Or to separate hours and minutes in time expressions

Incorrect: The following items will be required at camp, sleeping bag, tent, hiking shoes, and compass. Correct: The following items will be required at camp: sleeping bag, tent, hiking shoes, and compass.

Incorrect: Dear Sir, Correct: Dear Sir:

Incorrect: The time is 700.

Correct: The time is 7:00.

You have now mastered the uses of the colon, a very handy device in the punctuation of your sentences. Lets review.

 A comma is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause is needed in a sentence. Commas help to clarify meaning for the reader. It is also used between the date and the year.

Incorrect: Kari is bringing candles baskets napkins and plastic plates to the park. Correct: Kari is bringing candles, baskets, napkins, and plastic plates to the park.

Commas should be placed in series of words, phrases, or clauses. Place commas in the following sentences:
Martina brushed her hair put on her pajamas and went to bed. Martina brushed her hair, put on her pajamas, and went to bed. She fell asleep and dreamed that she was a princess she kissed a frog and she rescued her prince. She fell asleep and dreamed that she was a princess, she kissed a frog, and she rescued her prince.

Incorrect: Yesterday the ghost chased the man. Correct: Yesterday, the ghost chased the man.

Incorrect: Gillian wore a bright colorful costume. Correct: Gillian wore a bright, colorful costume.

Incorrect: Clark asked Where is Lois?

Correct: Clark asked, Where is Lois?

Incorrect: October 31 2010

Correct: October 31, 2010

 The comma in a compound sentence is placed before the coordinating conjunction. S V Candy dressed as a Vampiress for Halloween, and Jeff went as a Pirate. conj. S V

Where would you place the comma in the following sentence?

Dan struggled with his homework so his father helped him.

Dan struggled with his homework, so his father helped him. S V conj. S V

 When a dependent clause is placed at the beginning of a sentence, place a comma between the independent clause and the dependent clause. DCM S V When Elizabeth called 911, the firemen rushed to her rescue. S V

Where would you place the commas in the following sentences?

Since it was raining we decided to go to the movies.

Since it was raining, we decided to go to the movies. DCM S V conj. S V

After the movie ended we went out for coffee. After the movie ended, we went out for coffee. DCM S V conj. S V

Commas are used between the date and the year.

A comma is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause is needed in a sentence.

Commas are used to separate ideas.

Commas help to clarify meaning for the reader.

You have now mastered the uses of the comma, a very handy device in the punctuation of your sentences.

Commas should be placed in series of words, phrases, or clauses. Commas are used to set off quotations.

Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives that modify the same noun.

A semicolon is not quite a comma, not quite a period. It is a break in thought, but not a complete stop more like an elongated pause.

Use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses when the clauses are not linked by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, or nor). Use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses when the clauses are linked by a transitional expression (such as however, moreover, or therefore). Use a semicolon to separate items in a list that also include commas.

Where would you place the semi colon in the following sentences?

Skipping the Cinderella parade, which was much too long, we went to The Haunted Mansion and we were able to walk right on without waiting in line. Skipping the Cinderella parade, which was much too long, we went to The

Haunted Mansion; and we were able to walk right on without waiting in line.
The field trip to the park should be fun we are all going to bring a game to play.

The field trip to the park should be fun; we are all going to bring a game to play.

Looking at the sentences on the next few slides and working together; Lets review which of the following sentences are punctuated correctly?

A. B. C.

Among the books were the following items, a pen, a pencil, a pad of paper, and folder. Among the books were the following items: a pen, a pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder. Among the books were the following items; a pen, pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder.

D.

Among the books were the following items - a pen, pencil, a pad of paper, and a folder.

A. Open your folder, take out your homework and pass it forward. B. C. Open your folder; take out your homework; and pass it forward. Open your folder, take out your homework, and pass it forward.

D.

Open your folder: take out your homework and pass it forward.

A. Mario likes to play- football, tennis, baseball and volleyball. B. Mario likes to play football, tennis, baseball, and volleyball. C. Mario likes to play: football, tennis, baseball and volleyball. D. Mario likes to play; football, tennis, baseball, and volleyball.

A. Please take out the trash, and don't forget to put the lid on the can. B. Please take out, the trash, and don't forget to put the lid on the can. C. Please, take out the trash and don't, forget to put the lid on the can. D. Please, take out the trash, and don't forget to put the lid on, the can.

A. I have cousins in Frankfort, Kentucky, Portland, Oregon, and Sacramento, California. B. I have cousins in Frankfort, KentuckyPortland, Oregon- and Sacramento, California. C. I have cousins in Frankfort, Kentucky; Portland, Oregon; and Sacramento, California. D. I have cousins in Frankfort, Kentucky: Portland, Oregon: and Sacramento, California.

A. The field trip to the park should be fun we are all going to bring a game to play. B. The field trip to the park should be fun, we are all going to bring; a game to play.

C. The field trip to the park should be fun we; are all going to bring a game to play.
D. The field trip to the park should be fun; we are all going to bring a game to play.

A. The waitress asked, "Would you like anything else?" B. Bobby asked for eggs and toast for breakfast. C. Henry took a long nap but he was still tired. D. Mrs. Todd calmed the excited, noisy children.

Punctuation rap is a game we play. Its fun to do, and we can learn that way. Take the period, the period; hes not hard to understand. Youll find him at the end of a sentence or command. He marks abbreviations, shortens words that are long. Dont forget the period, hes small but strong. Question mark, question mark, what did you say? He follows a question, thats the only way.

You can join two sentences with a but or an and Just remember the comma, he will give you a hand. There is one more place that our comma has been, He comes after a clause that tells you when. The dash-the dash-hes here, then hes gone. If you need to make a pause, then you bring him along. Quotation marks are nosey. They have no reservations About hanging around in any conversation, You must put quotes around a thing that is said, And also a poem or a story youve read. The colon likes to show a list that will come, His brother, the semi will not be outdone. The semicolon joins two sentences with no, and If you have too many commas, he can take a stand.

Wow! Awesome! Rad! Hurray! The exclamation point is next; hes got something to say. He follows something loud, hes excited to play. Dont use him too much, he wont be special that way.
The comma is next, he is used a lot He can separate a list of some groceries you bought Youll find him in the middle of the year and the date, Between two adjectives, or a city and state.