colons nec facet center. using colons will give your sentences variety
TRANSCRIPT
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!