Colons

Used when the second sentence/clause/phrase offers an EXPLANATION or CLARIFICATION of the first sentence

Used within Run-On Sentences

Eg. Today was awesome I learned a lot in class

Eg. Today was awesome: I learned a lot in class

Replaces the words “and what I mean by that is”

  • Useful in introducing lists

DO NOT use a colon w the words “such as” or “including”

Eg. We need a few things from the store, such as: apples, bread, milk, and eggs

Eg. We need a few things from the store, such as: apples, bread, milk, and eggs

Eg. We need a few things from the store, such as: apples, bread, milk, and eggs

Eg. We need a few things from the store, such as: apples, bread, milk, and eggs

How they are used in academic writing

Eg. KRS-One believes that hip hop leads to self-awareness: “it is a perceptual ability that cuases one to self-create and raises one’s self worth.”

  • Looks more elegeant rather than using a period and adding a transition word

  • Requires more thinking, so don’t use it if you don’t want to (not required)

  • Gets rid of unecessary words

  1. Give a full intro to the quote

  2. Place the colon

  3. Give the quote