Dear Master’s Programs student,
It’s been a while since we looked
at punctuation
on the Master’s Programs blog, and I know this is a great source of anxiety
for most of our students. “I’m having
punctuation withdraw,” many of you have lamented. “Please, I’m dying for more rules on usage
and mechanics!”
Fear not, friends. This week we’ll examine the semi-colon,
which can be confusing. Is it a
comma? Is it a period? Some weird hybrid of the two? Actually, yes: the semi-colon was designed to
create more pause than a comma, but less than a period. (Now you have fun—albeit nerdy—trivia to
share at your next dinner party.)
But what are the rules for this
mysterious glyph? First, and most
importantly, it must have a complete sentence on BOTH sides of it. Consider the following examples:
incorrect: I love reading the Master’s Programs blog; which has great writing tips.
incorrect: Whenever I have a writing question; I turn to the Master’s Programs blog.
correct: I love reading the Master’s Programs blog; it’s especially
helpful when I have a writing question.
Next, the sentences should be
related in meaning. The second one can
clarify or explain the first (as in the delightful example above), or it can
provide contrast to the first, like this:
Wallabies are an excellent marsupial; opossums, in contrast, are totally repugnant.
Remember that a
conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) should NOT immediately follow a
semi-colon. A conjunctive adverb (words
like thus, however, moreover,
consequently, therefore) may follow a semi-colon, but they’re not
mandatory.
incorrect: All jam is good; but
plum jam is the best!
correct: All jam is good; plum
jam is the best!
correct: All jam is good;
however, plum jam is the best!
Just don’t get carried away with
the semi-colon. It’s like nutmeg—a
little goes a long way, and you don’t want to overdo it.
Happy Writing!
James ;)
James ;)
Post Script: Since we’re on the
topic, here’s a piece of trivia: There are 14 punctuation marks in standard
English grammar. Can anyone name them?
(Here’s some help
from the West Wing. Skip to 1:17 for
the answer.)
