Epping Secondary College Newsletter

Learning for Life

Learning for Life – Literacy Tip #15

Punctuation – semi-colon

 

Think punctuation isn’t worth learning think again because without punctuation English is very difficult to comprehend. Let’s try that again: Think punctuation isn’t worth learning? Think again. Because without punctuation, English is very difficult to comprehend. 

Punctuation is essential and is used to convey and clarify meaning of written language. It is such simple marks as the full stop or the comma, and the more complex ones of semicolons and hyphens. Getting punctuation wrong can change the entire meaning of a sentence. This is why it is important to model good writing and punctuation at home with our children.

 

This newsletter’s focus is semi-colons.

 

Semi-colons are used in the same way as a comma; they are used to signal a long pause in a sentence.  A capital letter is not needed after a semi-colon. 

 

Semi-colons are used:

1. to separate two sentences that are related to group words (clauses) together in a list

 

For example:

  1. The expedition may be on or off; it all depends on the weather.
  2. Four objects lay on the desk: a large book; a spiral-bound notepad; a glass vase containing flowers; and a silver propelling pencil.

 

TASK: Rewrite the sentences below using semicolons.  Remember that semi colons replace joining words, commas, capital letters and full stops.

 

  1. George ran into the shed because it was raining.
    _________________________________________
  2. Sammy likes hamburgers but I like fish and chips.
    _________________________________________
  3. The car screeched to a halt.  The fox managed to escape.
    _________________________________________
  4. Losing money is careless but stealing it is criminal.
    _________________________________________
  5. Julius Caesar famously said: “I came, I saw, I conquered.”
    _________________________________________

 

TASK: Use semi-colons to correctly punctuate the following sentences:

 

  1. I bought apples bananas pears and plums at the supermarket.

     
  2. In order to ride a horse, you need the following equipment: a helmet, a saddle, stirrups and a halter with reins.

     
  3. My lessons at school today are: Maths Science English History and P.E.

TASK: Make a list of items and use semicolons to separate them._____________________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fabiano Nigro

Learning Specialist