Follow
this link to the Wheel of
Punctuation handout.
|
The Colon is the >
relationship indicator, the herald, the which is or
because replacer. Writers use the colon as follows:
- Before lists (often to emphasize the item or items in the
list) which follow an independent clause.
Each camper should bring the following items: a canteen, a
sleeping bag, a pocket knife, and one complete change of clothes.
- To connect independent clauses or to display a specific
word or phrase for climactic effect when the second amplifies, defines,
explains, or restates the first. (The colon substitutes for phrases like that
is and namely and for the abbreviation i.e.. Usually the first
clause is general, the second more specific.)
She had good reason to rave:
her little brother had broken
her favorite figurine.
After three days, the jury reached its
verdict: guilty.
- Clause: a group of closely related words containing
a subject and a finite verb.
-
Independent Clause:
a clause that makes sense as a sentence in itself.
- Susan loves her English class.
- Dependent Clause: an independent
clause plus a subordinating conjunction.
- although
she
is nervous about her first paper
- Subordinating
Conjunctions: after as, although, as if, as long as, because,
before, even if, even though, if, if only, in order that, now that, once,
provided, rather than, since, so that, than, that, though, 'till, unless,
until, when, whenever, where, whereas, whether, while.
|
Acknowledgements |
Allison, Alexander W., et al, eds. Norton Anthology of
Poetry. 3rd ed. NY: Norton, 1983.
Elbow, Peter and Pat Belanoff. A Community of Writers: A
Workshop Course in Writing. NY: McGraw-Hill, 1989.
Gibaldi, Joseph and Walter S. Achtert, eds. MLA Handbook
for Writers of Research Papers. 3rd ed. NY: MLA, 1988.
Raymond, James C. Writing [Is an Unnatural Act]. NY: Harper & Row, 1980.
Dr. John C. Schafer, Humboldt
State University English Department, Arcata, CA. |
Updated:
08.18.07 |
