| After the comma, the two marks of punctuation most | | | | - separate a title from a subtitle - Correct: She was |
| often used inappropriately are semicolons and colons. | | | | reading Playing the Oriental Lute: Basic Lessons from |
| Whole books have been written about the "correct" | | | | Too Ning.Incorrect: The book's title was Betting on the |
| use of these little marks. It's a wonder wars haven't | | | | Dogs Through the Eyes of a Grayhound. |
| been fought over them. There's even a movement in | | | | - separate two independent clauses when the second |
| the higher levels of some ivory towers to eliminate one | | | | clause explains the first clause or gives an example - |
| of them. Until that happens, though, we tech writers | | | | Correct: The advice my dad gave me was sound: |
| have to use them and do it in a way that won't get us | | | | don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty |
| into too much trouble with proofreaders, editors, or | | | | stuff. Incorrect: The advice my dad gave me about: |
| clients. | | | | don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty |
| For this Exercise, we're going to deal only with the | | | | stuff was sound. |
| colon. There isn't space here to layout all the various | | | | Read each of these sentences and decide whether |
| rules/opinions or to create a style guide on the subject. | | | | there needs to be a colon and whether it's in the right |
| The intent of this exercise is to give an idea of where | | | | place. |
| we can run afoul of the "rules" about using a colon. It | | | | 1. There was only one thing that Mr. Colbert worried |
| can also help us to see where some of the | | | | about: exactly where was the bear at that moment. |
| disagreements lie and decide where we stand on | | | | 2. She was responsible for: invitations, seat assignment, |
| them. | | | | and greeting the guests. |
| Based on a few, simple, generally agreed-upon usage | | | | 3. She was able to sing: pop, opera, country, and soul. |
| rules, the task is to decide whether each sentence | | | | 4. He had only one need in order to survive: water. |
| needs or doesn't need a colon. The "correct" usage | | | | 5. They enjoyed challenges such as: swimming, |
| we provide is based on our version of standard | | | | boating, and rock climbing. |
| written English (SWE). If you disagree and can support | | | | 6. Don't ever forget rule Number One: the boss is |
| your position with a good style guide, we're not going | | | | always right. |
| to argue. | | | | 7. They gave him a choice of transportation: trains, |
| OK, in a rather large nut shell, here are some guides to | | | | planes, and automobiles, but he said he didn't really |
| using the colon. | | | | want to travel. |
| Most writers are familiar with using a colon to: | | | | 8. To Whom It May Concern: is not a good way to |
| - separate the hour and the minute in a time reference | | | | start a letter |
| - The train arrived at 6:43 in the morning. | | | | 9. Everything went wrong at once: the storm hit, the |
| - indicate a ratio - The correct ration of gin to | | | | window broke, Jill dropped the flashlight in the pond, |
| vermouth is 4:1. | | | | and Hal let the cat slip out the door. |
| - separate chapter and verse in a scriptural reference | | | | 10. To Whom It May Concern: |
| - You can't go wrong if you follow the advice in 1 | | | | When you're done check the answer below. |
| Timothy 5:23 | | | | Exercise - Answer |
| - follow the salutation in a formal letter - To the | | | | Colon or no colon? That is the question. |
| Members of the Board: | | | | 1. Correct - There was only one thing that Mr. Colbert |
| Some people are unsure about when a colon is used | | | | worried about: exactly where was the bear at that |
| to: | | | | moment. |
| - introduce lists - (In this usage, what comes before the | | | | 2. Wrong - She was responsible for: invitations, seat |
| colon must be a complete thought without the rest of | | | | assignment, and greeting the guests. |
| the sentence. If it's a sentence but an incomplete | | | | 3. Wrong - She was able to sing: pop, opera, country, |
| thought, don't use a colon.) Correct: The old stereo had | | | | and soul. |
| three speeds: 78, 45, and 33 1/3.Incorrect: The old | | | | 4. Correct - He had only one need in order to survive: |
| stereo speeds were: 78, 45, and 33 1/3. Correct: He | | | | water. |
| was fluent in two languages: Russian and Urdu. | | | | 5. Wrong - They enjoyed challenges such as: |
| Incorrect: He was able to read: Russian, Greek, and | | | | swimming, boating, and rock climbing. |
| Urdu. | | | | 6. Correct - Don't ever forget rule Number One: the |
| - introduce a noun or noun phrase that renames | | | | boss is always right. |
| another noun just before it at the end of a sentence - | | | | 7. Wrong - They gave him a choice of transportation: |
| Correct: He didn't expect what hit him: a squash. | | | | trains, planes, and automobiles, but he said he didn't |
| Incorrect: He didn't expect it when he got hit: with a | | | | really want to travel. |
| squash | | | | 8. Wrong - To Whom It May Concern: is not a good |
| - introduce a quotation when it follows a complete | | | | way to start a letter. |
| sentence - Correct: My mother started every meal | | | | 9. Correct - Everything went wrong at once: the storm |
| with the same comment: "Eat it or I'll throw it to the | | | | hit, the window broke, Jill dropped the flashlight in the |
| hogs."Incorrect: My mother started every meal with the | | | | pond, and Hal let the cat slip out the door. |
| same comment, "Eat it or I'll throw it to the hogs." | | | | 10. |