RIC-20248 Primary Grammar and Word Study Year 6 – Punctuation

Punctuation
Colons and semicolons
Focus
Colons and semicolons
Definitions
• A colon is a punctuation mark used to let readers know
that information will follow.
• A semicolon is a punctuation mark used to let readers
know they need to make a longer pause than for a
comma.
Explanation
The use of standardised marks in writing such as colons
and semicolons clarifies meaning for a reader.
• Examples of when a colon is used include:
1. Introducing a list of a series of items.
The following are important environmental issues: global
warming, pollution and soil degradation.
Note: When the list flows naturally as part of the
sentence, as when the words ‘such as’ or ‘include’
come before a list, a colon is not used.
Extremely important environmental issues include global
warming, pollution and soil degradation.
2. Introducing an explanation, example or quotation.
A famous quote in one of Shakespeare’s plays reads:
‘To be or not to be, that is the question’.
3. Introducing offset lists.
Instructions:
1. Fill the eyedropper with water.
2. Practise squeezing the water out, one drop at a time.
4. Introducing each character’s dialogue in a playscript.
Brandon: I refuse to do it!
5. Introducing the subtitle of a book.
Antarctica: The frozen continent
• Examples of when a semicolon is used include:
1. Before words and expressions such as ‘however’, ‘for
example’ and ‘therefore’.
The resort offered a variety of outdoor activities; for
example, scuba diving, mini-golf and tennis.
2. To separate items in a sentence that contains
commas.
Mum enjoyed reading, walking and mini golf; Dad
enjoyed scuba diving, walking and tennis; and we
enjoyed mini-golf, swimming in the pool and go-karting.
3. To join two ideas in a sentence instead of using a
conjunction.
The losing team is coming off the court; some are
looking very disappointed.
Note: Each sentence part could stand alone as a
sentence. The word ‘and’ could have been used to join
the sentences. A semicolon is used instead of a full
stop for effect and variety.
Worksheet information
• Show students examples in familiar books of where
colons are used. Discuss how they are used in several
ways. The worksheet concentrates on a common way
students would use them in their writing.
• Show students examples in familiar books of where
semicolons are used. Again, discuss how they are used
in several ways. The worksheet concentrates on two
common ways students would use them in their writing
at this level.
Ideas for further practice
• Students identify colons in book titles with subtitles,
recipe procedures and science experiments, where
colons are used in offset lists, and in playscripts to
introduce a new character speaking.
• Find examples of sentences using semicolons in books
and create a display of sentence excerpts to discuss and
refer to.
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Answers
1. (a) These were the chef’s recommendations: garlic
prawns, beef medallions and chocolate mud cake.
(b) The waiter explained there were several ways to
cook the medallions: rare, medium or well done
and with or without sauce.
(c) At the end of the meal we told the chef: ‘Our meals
were cooked to perfection’.
2. More money is being invested in space programs;
therefore, more discoveries should be made about the
universe.
3. Next week, we will study Jupiter, the largest planet;
Venus, the hottest planet; and Saturn, the ringed
planet.
Primary grammar and word study 72
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