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Name: ______Period: ______

Internal Punctuation

Internal Punctuation #1: Semicolons To Join Independent Clauses _____/10

Semicolons can be used to join together two independent clauses (complete thoughts) that are closely linked.

o  Use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses not already joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

§  Ex. Pam felt confident going into the test, for she had studied very hard.

Pam felt confident going into the test; she had studied very hard.

§  Notice that the second thought does NOT begin with a capital!!

o  Use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses joined by a transitional word or phrase.

§  Ex. Karen wants a new car; however, she will have to wait.

Karen wants a new car; as a result, she will have to save.

§  AGAIN, notice that the second thought does NOT begin with a capital!!

Instructions: In each sentence below, place the semicolon where it is needed to join together two complete thoughts. Make sure to circle the semi-colon so that the mark is easily found.

1.  Put your napkin on your lap don’t tuck it into your shirt.

2.  Kim is eight years older than her brothers she often baby-sits for them.

3.  Most of my friends will go to public high school a few will go away to boarding school.

4.  Becky is fascinated by sharks however, she has not yet seen one close up.

5.  Their new home is beautiful no one would guess it was once a barn.

6.  Jeremy is an excellent soccer player his brother prefers baseball.

7.  My sister likes to save money in fact, she has already saved a thousand dollars.

8.  Pat can help you with that problem she is a terrific math student.

9.  They decided not to go shopping instead, they went walking in the park.

10.  Ben arrived later consequently, he missed the meeting.


Internal Punctuation #2: Semicolons To Avoid Confusion _____/15

One of the most important uses of a semicolon is to avoid confusion.

o  Use a semicolon to avoid confusion when independent clauses or items in a series already contain commas.

§  Ex. My aunt frequently travels to Lisbon, Madrid, and Seville; and, next year, she

hopes to visit England and France.

Beth Meyers, a freshman at Penn State; Hugh Gibbons, a high-school senior;

and Fran Kirby, a secretary, were contestants on the game show.

Instructions: In each sentence below, replace some of the commas with semicolons to help avoid confusion. Make sure to circle the semi-colon so that the mark is easily found.

1.  They received cards from Honolulu, Hawaii, Phoenix, Arizona, and Seattle, Washington. (2)

2.  My cousin, Martha Mary Louise, is the most talented and original cook I have ever met, she is very resourceful and can make almost any old food taste delicious, but she does specialize in the following items: cod, fruitcake, and squash. (1)

3.  Some of the most popular songs at the concert were “Hey, Jude,” a Beatles hit, “People Will Say We’re in Love,” a song from the musical Oklahoma, and “Pomp and Circumstance,” a march by Edward Elgar. (2)

4.  Alana, who lives in the next apartment, Louise, who is in my homeroom, and Marcia, whom I have known since kindergarten, are my best friends. (2)

5.  The waitress announced, “Our soups today are New England clam chowder, which his made with clams, potatoes, and cream, minestrone, a hearty Italian vegetable soup, and mulligatawny, a meat soup with curry seasoning. (2)

6.  On our trip across the country, my favorite cities were Boston, Massachusetts, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Portland, Oregon. (2)

7.  On a Harley motorcycle, my grandmother and her poodle, Doodle, have traveled to Anchorage, Alaska, San Francisco, California, and Tijuana, Mexico. (2)

8.  There are basically two ways to write: with a pen, which is inexpensive and easily accessible, or by computer and printer, which is more expensive but quick and neat. (1)

9.  If you want me to go out tonight, you need to help me with my homework first, and if you say no, I'll know that you don't really care about going out. (1)

Internal Punctuation #3: Colons in Titles _____/10

Use a colon to separate the title and subtitle of a book or movie.

Ø  A title is an identifying name given to a book, play, film, musical composition, or other work.

Ø  A subtitle is a secondary, usually explanatory title that is always listed second.

o  Example: The Wide World: A High School Geography

Instructions: Place colons where needed. Some titles may not need a colon because there is no subtitle. Circle the colon to make it more obvious.

  1. One of the most boring textbooks I was ever forced to read is called Warriner's English Grammar and Composition A Complete Course.
  1. The Advanced Composition A Book of Models for Writing has been used for many years.
  1. I didn't like Episodes in American History An Inquiry Approach as a history textbook.
  1. I think Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith is the best movie out of the whole series.
  1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is my favorite book in the series.
  1. If you are interested in learning more about Galileo, then you should read Galileo Galilei Father of Modern Science.
  1. All Things Shakespeare An Encyclopedia of Shakespeare’s World covers everything you need to know about Tudor England.
  1. Mapping Epidemics A Historical Atlas of Disease shows how diseases have spread across the world.
  1. Building World Landmarks The Globe Theater is an excellent book about Elizabethan theater.
  1. Leonardo da Vinci Dreams, Schemes, and Flying Machines is a fascinating book.


Internal Punctuation #4: Colons before Lists Part 1 _____/10

Use the colon AFTER a complete sentence to introduce a list of items.

Ø  words like “such as,” “namely,” “for example,” “as follows,” or “the following” need a colon after them.

Ø  A colon should not come before a list unless that list follows a complete sentence.

o  Example: In high school he played the following sports: baseball, basketball, football and tennis.

Instructions: Place colons where needed. Circle the colon to make it more obvious.

  1. I examined the different parts of the book preface, text, and index.
  1. For the campout we will need the following things a tent, three sleeping bags, and a gas lantern.
  1. Next semester I will be taking four courses Algebra II, English Literature, American History, and Biology III.
  1. The following are the three football positions that never carry the ball guard, tackle, and center.
  1. There are four seasons summer, fall, winter, and spring.
  1. I’ve been to four continents Africa, North America, South America, and Asia.
  1. The ingredients are as follows salt, pepper, popcorn, and seasoning.
  1. You will need to finish three chores before noon vacuum, mow the lawn, and make your bed.
  1. There are four parts to a plant roots, stem, leaves, and flower.
  1. The friends I play with are as follows Jill, Jack, Tom, and Eden.


Internal Punctuation #5: Colons before Lists Part 2 ______/10

Use the colon AFTER a complete sentence to introduce a list of items.

Ø  words like “such as,” “namely,” “for example,” “as follows,” or “the following” need a colon after them.

Ø  A colon should not come before a list unless that list follows a complete sentence.

o  Example: In high school he played the following sports: baseball, basketball, football and tennis.

Instructions: Place colons where needed. Not all sentences will need a colon. Circle the colon to make it more obvious.

  1. Alison likes three subjects English, history, and science.
  2. I should call my mom, my sister, and my brother immediately.
  3. I have three hobbies coin collecting, reading, and knitting.
  4. I love healthy foods nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
  5. The weather today might be sunny, rainy, or hazy.
  6. The recipe needs sardines, anchovies, halibut, and herring.
  7. William plays three sports soccer, rugby, and baseball.
  8. My daughters-in-law are Martha, Mary Jane, and Jen.
  9. You will need the following supplies pencils, erasers, and markers.
  10. You need Will, Boyd, Jeff, and Jim for this game.


Internal Punctuation #6: Review 1 ______/10

Instructions: Semicolons and Colons have been left out of the following sentences. Insert these punctuation marks where they are required. Also, circle the mark so that it is easy to find. If no punctuation is needed, write NONE.

1.  Our coach suggested that we read Playing Team Soccer A Study in Offense and Defense Skills.

2.  This glass lens is concave the other is convex.

3.  Some cheeses are made from cow’s milk others are made from goat’s milk.

4.  The car you left in our shop required the following new breaks, tires, and a battery.

5.  Treasure Island has all the elements of an exciting story intricate plot, interesting characters, dramatic situations, and suspense.

6.  I’d love to go to the movies on the other hand, I wouldn’t mind getting to bed early tonight.

7.  A good college text was The American Constitution Its Origins and Development.

8.  We served onion soup topped with melted cheese homemade rye bread, covered with butter and fruit salad, made with six different kinds of fresh fruit.

9.  You should always check the levels of antifreeze, oil, and gasoline.

10.  My sister is an outstanding student as a result, she won a four-year college scholarship.


Internal Punctuation #7: Review 2 ______/10

Instructions: Semicolons and Colons have been left out of the following sentences. Insert these punctuation marks where they are required. Also, circle the mark so that it is easy to find. If no punctuation is needed, write NONE.

1.  Ten goldfish swam in the pond their scales glinted in the sun.

2.  Katrina wrote her book report on The Golden Gate A Novel in Verse by Vikram Seth.

3.  Grandfather always grows tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, carrots, and squash.

4.  We invited Nancy, who is fourteen Tome, who is sixteen and Gloria, who is seventeen.

5.  This home used to be a one-room schoolhouse it was built over a century ago.

6.  I checked-out a reference book called Rules for Writing A Guide to Better Compositions.

7.  The little girl was wearing a yellow raincoat, which was made of shiny vinyl a matching hat, which was tied neatly under her chin and red boots, which reached to her knees.

8.  Alan reached the mouth of the first cave he peered inside and decided to wait for his friends.

9.  The book was called Gourmet Cooking Recipes for the Beginner.

10.  I have lived in Provo, Orem, Rexburg, Lehi, and Pleasant Grove.