This lesson introduces colons and how they can be used.

Colons: :

Rules to successIn understanding how a colon is used!

:: :

Colon rules• #1 - to show something is to follow (a list of a single item or multiple items as

well)• Please bring the following to class: pencil, paper, and textbooks.

• #2 - when writing a salutation of a business letter• Dear Sir:• Dear Ms. Brown:

• #3 - when using numerals to indicate time, volume, or page, etc.• 3:30 • Popular Science 8:81

• #4 - Use the colon to introduce a direct quotation that is more than three lines in length. When quotes are this long, no quotation marks are used.

• #5 - when two independent clauses are combined and the second further explains the first.

Colons - a list

• #1 - to show something is to follow follow (a list of a single item or multiple items as well)• Please bring the following to class: pencil, paper, and

textbooks.

• Add the following item to your recipe: brown sugar.

• These positions are open at the new store in town: administrative assistant, creative manager, and field photographer.

• When a colon is used to list in a sentence, it must be preceded by a full independent clause. :

Colons – in business letters

• #2 - when writing a salutation of a business letter• Dear Sir:

• Dear Ms. Brown:

• Colons are more formal than a comma and show a sign of respect to the unknown recipient of the letter.

• Reminder: commas are reserved for friendly letters while colons are for business letters

:

Colons – with numbers

• #3 - when using numerals to indicate time, volume, or page, etc.• 3:30

• Popular Science 8:81

• NOTE: The colon is used to separate the hour from minutes or the volume from the page

:

Colons with Quotes

• #4 - Use the colon to introduce a direct quotation that is more than three lines in length. When quotes are this long, no quotation marks are used.

• Example:

The author of American Public School Law wrote:

Because a public school is a governmental agency, its conduct is circumscribed by precedents of pubic administrative law supplemented by those legal and historical traditions surrounding an educational organization (1).

Colons with independent clauses

#5 - when two independent clauses are combined and the second further explains the first.

•Vote for me as class president: I believe in you!

•I remember the words of my father very well: “Work hard and you will reap many rewards.”

When an independent clause follows a colon, the first word of the clause begins with a capital letter.

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Use them with lists, business letters, numbers, independent clauses that add further explanation, and quotes

that exceed three lines.

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