PUNCHY PUNCTUATION

COLON

ÒThe DirectorÓ

 

á      Use after an independent clause to call attention to a phrase, a list, or a quotation.

The colon can help direct attention to the following quote by Muhammad Ali: ÒItÕs just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.Ó

 

á      Use between independent clauses if the second clarifies or summarizes the first.

The colon can be used to explain an idea: it allows a writer to restate his or her opinions.

 

á      DO NOT use a colon directly after a verb, a preposition, or Òsuch as.Ó 

Incorrect: We worked on: verbs,

       nouns, and adjectives.

Correct:  We worked on the

following parts of speech:         verbs, nouns, and adjectives.

Vs.

SEMICOLON

ÒThe EqualizerÓ

 

á      Use to connect independent clauses of equal grammatical importance not joined by coordinating conjunctions.

The semicolon joins main clauses that are closely related; this is why it is called ÒThe Equalizer.Ó

 

 

á      Use to link main clauses when a conjunctive adverb (Òfurthermore,Ó Òhowever,Ó ÒthereforeÓ) or transitional expression (Òfor example,Ó Òin fact,Ó Òin additionÓ) introduces the second main clause.

Semicolons add variety to sentence structures; therefore, a writer should learn how to use them for more effective prose.

 

á      Use in a series to separate items that may require internal commas.

Andrew studied commas, semicolons, and colons; MLA, APA, and CPE formats; and pronouns, adverbs, and prepositions.

 

 

ROUND 1

Fill in the blank with either a colon or a semicolon.

 

1)    Boxing is a notable sport__it is internationally recognized.

 

2)  Muhammad Ali summarized his boxing strategy by stating the 

      following__ÒIÕll be floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee.Ó

 

3)    Boxing can also go by two other names__prizefighting or pugilism.

 

 

ROUND 2

Place the punctuation mark in parenthesis in the appropriate position of the sentence.

 

1)    In 1986, Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history he was only 20 years and 144 days old.  (;)

 

2)    Boxer Evander Holyfield defined what a champion means to him "A champion shows who he is by what he does when he's tested. When a person gets up and says, 'I can still do it', he's a champion."  (:)

 

3)    Boxers in the flyweight division can only weigh up to 112 pounds in the heavyweight division, a boxer has to weigh at least 195 pounds.  (;)

 

 

ROUND 3

Combine both sentences into one, using either a colon or a semicolon.

 

1)    George Foreman and Muhammad Ali fought in the 1974 World Heavyweight Championship.  This fight was nicknamed ÒThe Rumble in the Jungle.Ó

 

 

 

 

2)    There are several different types of boxing punches.  Some of the most common boxing punches are the left jab, the straight right, the left hook, and the uppercut.