Grammar Info for High Schoolers

To the students of the High School Writing class:

Again, I apologize for running over on class time this week and not being able to finish the punctuation instruction. As such, the Punctuation Quiz that was on your course schedule for next Tuesday is canceled. We'll spend that time going over any questions you have about punctuation after trying it out for yourself.

Speaking of this week's homework, I wanted to equip you better for the semicolon/colon worksheet (and for your journal assignment) by giving you some colon instructions. Please add the information below to your notes from Tuesday:

4. Colons ( : )

1. Directs attention to an explanation or a quotation. 

• Example: We weren't thrilled with the event's turnout: only three people came. (The words behind the colon help explain the words before the colon.)
• Example: When I was three, my mom explained the use of paint: "It's for art, not for food." (The words in front of the colon introduce the quotation.)
• WARNING: Whatever comes before the colon must be a complete sentence in and of itself. In the above examples, for instance, the words before the colon form complete thoughts: "We weren't thrilled with the event's turnout" and "When I was three, my mom explained the use of paint" are complete sentences. (Did you notice how I used a colon to explain in the sentence just before this one?)

       2. Signals a list that follows.

• Example: Three students liked broccoli: James, Clay, and Stewie.
• Example: I reluctantly agreed to complete my homework: two geometry worksheets, one history paper, and three paragraphs for English.
• WARNING: When the colon introduces a list, the words before the colon must form a complete sentence. Notice the above examples: "Three students liked broccoli" and "I reluctantly agreed to complete my homework" are complete sentences.
• INCORRECT: The winners were: Shelby, Josiah, and Jesse.
• "The winners were" is not a complete sentence... or it is, but it doesn't make too much sense. In this case, you don't need a colon at all.
• INCORRECT: Teenagers can serve others in many ways, such as: lawn-mowing, babysitting, and cleaning. 
• "Teenagers can serve others in many ways, such as" is not a complete sentence by itself. If you took out the "such as," it would work. A correct version is, "Teenagers can serve others in many ways: lawn-mowing, babysitting, and cleaning.

I hope this helps with the worksheet and journal paragraph. Of course, now that you've copied all these notes down, I expect you to read them carefully and to try to use a colon correctly in your journal. If you have any questions about any of the grammar homework, please post them here! Don't be shy; reading your question might help another student in the class.

Godspeed!