Semicolons Semicolons YOU DO NOT NEED TO WRITE

Semicolons

Semicolons (YOU DO NOT NEED TO WRITE THESE QUOTES IN YOUR NOTES! For and against: George Saunders says, “I love it; it is useful for many things. My understanding is, it is correctly used to join two complete, but related sentences; this way, the reader feels the link, albeit subtly. ” Richard Hugo says, “No semicolons. Semicolons indicate relationships that only idiots need defined by punctuation. Besides, they are ugly. ”

What is a semicolon? It looks like this ; What is an independent clause? a clause in a complex sentence that can stand alone as a complete sentence. It is used to connect two similar independent clauses. Examples: I love board games. My cat loves meatballs. I can’t come over tonight. A large tree has fallen on my house.

Don’t forget! Don’t forget that the independent clauses you join using semicolons must be similar! Example: I can’t come over tonight; a large tree has fallen on my house. Why are these wrong? I went to the store; but they were out of milk. I love board games; my cat loves meatballs. The Miami Heat; plays tomorrow night.

A Wink to the Semicolon. Read the article “A Wink to the Semicolon” with a partner. Answer these questions: 1. Why does Roberts claim, “The semicolon, befittingly, symbolizes a wink. ” What does he mean by this? 2. What does erudite mean? 3. What does Exhortations mean? 4. What does pretentious mean? 5. What does anachronism mean? 6. What is an independent clause? 7. Is “ Please put it in the trash can; that’s good news for everyone” a proper use of the semicolon?

HOMEWORK Write three sentences correctly using semicolons!