Blount 1

Notes on Commas, Semicolons, Colons & Quotation Marks

Commas Commas are used as follows: 1. to separate items in a series Example: I bought glasses, dishes and silverware at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

2. to set off introductory material Example: In the past, I got into trouble with the law. After the rain, the sun came out.

3. between two complete thoughts separated by the following words: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet Example: She does not envy the models in the magazine, for she is happy with herself.

4. to set off a direct quotation from the rest of a sentence Example: The girl cried, “I never want to see you again!”

5. other everyday information/material Examples: I was born on January 1, 1999 If you’re the last to leave, today, turn off the lights. She lives at 777, Downing Street, Somewhere, California, 90210.

Semicolons 1. Use them between closely related independent clauses. Example: I am encouraged by justice; I am infuriated by injustice.

 Must be used whenever a coordinating conjunction does not appear between independent clauses.

2. Use between items in a series containing internal punctuation. Example: Classic cartoons are The Flintstones, with Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble; The Smurfs, with Smurfette and Gargamel; and Scooby Doo, with Shaggy and Scooby. Note: As a general rule, avoid semicolons unless necessary. I’ve noticed that when students (especially beginning writers) use semicolons, a period would have been better.

Blount 2

Colons Colons are used after independent clauses to call attention to the words that follow them. Main uses are: 1. Lists . Example: My grocery list includes: apples, cereal, green beans, tea and paper towels.

2. A quotation (typically reserved for long quotations) . Example: Consider the words of Shakespeare from the Merchant of Venice: “All that glisters is not gold, Often have you heard that told: Many a man his life hath sold . . .” (Act II).

3. After a salutation in a business letter . Examples:  To Whom It May Concern:  Dear Ms. Doe:

4. To distinguish: chapter from verse in biblical/religious works, time (hour from minute) titles from subtitles

. Examples:  Matthew 10:1-4, 2:00 a.m.  In Love and Trouble: Stories of Black Women by Alice Walker

Note: May also use a colon before part of a sentence if the second explains or summarizes the first.  Example: Life is a series of rude awakenings: It is what happens while you are making other plans.

Quotation Marks 1. Use to enclose direct quotations (the words of others)  Examples: “All that glitters is not gold,” wrote William Shakespeare. “Stop! A car is coming!” the woman yelled.

 See page 71 of APSM for exception

2. Around titles of short works  Poems, newspaper and magazine articles, short stories, songs, TV and radio shows, chapters/subdivisions of books  Examples: “I Rise” by Maya Angelou “The Power of Identity” (essay title)

3. To set off words used as words  See page 72 of APSM Note:  Periods, commas, question marks and exclamation points are placed inside quotation marks.  Colons and semicolons are placed outside quotation marks.