PUNCTUATION

ColonsNEC FACET Center

Using colons will give your sentences variety.

Colon Rule # 1

Use a colon to show that a direct quote will follow.

Example

Kate Chopin opens “The Story of an Hour” with this sentence: “Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as gently as possible the news of her husband’s death.”

This colon leads into a

quote.

Warning!

Do not use colons to introduce everydirect quotation. The structure of your sentence determines

what punctuation mark you should use.

These are all ways to introduce quotes:1. The word echoed in Louise Mallard’s

mind: “Free! Free! Free!” (a colon)2. The little blond girl remarked, “You are

not a friend of Luciana because I’m her cousin and I know all her friends. And I don’t know you.” (a comma)

3. The less affluent townspeople considered wealthy Richard Cory “ a gentleman from sole to crown.” (No punctuation is needed because the quote is part of the sentence structure.)

Restated Colon Rule # 1

Use a colon when the words introducing the quotation form a complete sentence in themselves.

Colon Rule # 2

Use a colon to introduce a list if the introductory words could serve

as a complete sentence in themselves. Would you please explain?

Examples

Jim packed a healthy lunch for the road: a turkeysandwich, veggie chips and a banana.

This is a complete sentence with a list following it.

The number of participants exceeded my expectations: Roger Williams, Lisa Turner, Brent Stall, Mina Smith, and Debbie Talon. Complete

sentence with a list following

Warning!

Marge bought rice, hamburger meat, and salsa.

We made kites, drums, and stockings for the holiday parade.

Do not use a colon every time you have a list.

The sentence must be complete with a list following.

These sentences do not need colonsbecause they are not complete without the list.

Do these sentences need colons?

The teacher brought: the test, pencils, and Scantron sheets.

Tom likes all forms of chocolate such as: candy bars, cookies, cake, and ice cream.

Do these sentences need colons?

The bouquet consists of: orchids, lilacs, and freesia.

Among other things, Border’s sells: novels, stationary, and cards.

Colon Rule # 3

Use a colon to separate an appositive at the end of a sentence if the words preceding

the comma can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Need an explanation? Continue on. . .

Examples

The famous Louvre in Paris owns one of Leonardo Di Vinci’s most famous paintings: the mysterious Mona Lisa.

Although often dealing with

serious issues, the television series Mash carried one light-hearted message: people can find humor even in the worst of times.

Does this sentence need a colon?

Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” explores an important theme: gender equality.

Colon Rule # 4

Use a colon following the salutation in a business letter.

Examples

Dear Dr. Robbins:

Dear Ms. Baxter:

To Whom It May Concern:

Caution

Use a comma after the salutation in a personal letter to a friend or relative.

Dear Aunt Rose,

Dear Jason,

Colon Rule # 5

Use a colon after each of the four standardheadings at the top of an interoffice memo.

Example

Interoffice Memorandum

To: Date:From: Subject:

Colon Rule # 6

Use a colon between titles and subtitles of books, articles, and essays.

Examples

The Future of Nuclear Energy: A Nightmare or a Dream Come True?

Examples

Ten Steps to Practical Dieting: A Woman’s Guide

Remember these colon rules . . .

as you write!