The Colon
Use a colon to introduce a series following a complete sentence.
You have to take three science classes: biology, chemistry, and anatomy.
We had three choices: Astroworld, the museum, or a basketball game.
The United States flag has three colors: red, white, and blue.
Use a colon before anything that defines, renames, explains, or illustrates the preceding
independent clause.
She left no doubt about her policy: she does not accept late work except in emergencies.
There was much confusion at registration: people didn't know which forms to complete
and there were no signs to identify the lines.
His favorite teacher was his math instructor: the one who tutored him every day during
study hall.
Use a colon to introduce a quotation of more than four lines or when a short quotation is
introduced with a complete independent clause.
With hesitation, she gave her answer: "Only if you promise to return."
The introduction of "The Tell-Tale Heart," a short story by Edgar Allan Poe, reveals a
great deal about the narrator's frame of mind:
True!-nervous-very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you
say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses-not destroyed-not dulled
them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven
and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! And
observe how healthily-how calmly I can tell you the whole story.
Use a colon at the end of a formal salutation.
Dear Dr. Jones:
Dear Professor Smith:
To Whom it May Concern:
North Harris College Writing Center
Page 12
Colon Usage Practice
Place a colon where needed in the following sentences.
1. Finally, I remembered the stages of cell division
:
interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase,
telophase.
2. She made her response boldly
:
"I don't want to go."
3. Her decision was made
:
she would take algebra.
4. Dear Judge Baker
:
5. He couldn't resist the temptation
:
he ate the piece of cake.
6. The captain has written letters of recommendation for the following people
:
Jane Smith, John
Brown, and Bill Jones.
7. He proclaimed his choice boldly
:
"I want the blue one."
8. John teaches three classes
:
history, government, and sociology.
9. She particularly admired her aunt
:
the one she lived with while in high school.
10. The meeting was a disaster
:
the agenda was not prepared and the discussion was unfocused.
North Harris College Writing Center
Page 13
Dostları ilə paylaş: |
