• Semicolon to separate elements in a series in which one element in the series is already separated by commas

• Semicolon in a compound sentence with no conjunction

• Semicolon before a conjunctive adverb

• Colon to introduce a list within a sentence, Bible chapter and verse, time format, greeting in a business letter

Colons Mini-lesson

Semicolons PowerPoint Notes on semicolons

Diana Hacker's interactive web activities  Activities for helping students with grammar, punctuation, spelling and mechanics. (Requires Shockwave which can be downloaded from the site)

Capital Community College's grammar and writing site  Provides resources to help students improve their writing.

Using Colons  Ideas for using colons

Using Semicolons  Ideas for using semicolons 

Daily Grammar   Lessons on colons and semicolons and more

Suggestions for English Language Learners

ESL Ideas          (B=Beginning; I=Intermediate; T=Transitional)
(B) Students highlight colons and semicolons in a newspaper article or other written material. 
(B, I) Students use word cards to create sentences and correct punctuation.
(I, T) Students keep a writing log for which the teacher provides sentences that are incorrect which students then correct independently or with peers. See also Punctuation Rules and Practice for rules and exercises. 
 

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