1. Learning Objectives
- To know what colons and semi-colons are, and
when they should be used;
- To understand the effect of colons and semi-
colons in writing;
- To use subtle and appropriate colons and
semi-colons in my own writing.
Starter: Write two sentences about this picture. One should use a colon, and one should use a semi-
colon.

2. Colons are punctuation marks (:) used before lists of items, a quotation, or an expansion or explanation. They can also
help connect a dependent clause.
Examples
I then packed the following items: toothbrush, deodorant, hairbrush, pants, socks, and a phone charger.
It’s like Fred Flintstone once said: “Yabba-Dabba-Doo!”
I had two options: Run away into the distance, stand and fight.
There is only one way we will get through this: fighting passionately

3. Semi-colons (;) are punctuation marks that join two independent clauses that are not connected with a coordinate conjunction and
used to help separate items in a list where commas exist.
Examples
His dog was aggressive; it had once bitten the postman.
Global warming was evident in these cities: Seaford, Delaware; Dover, Delaware; and Newark, Delaware.
Dad was getting older; his hair is hair is thinning.

4. Take a look at the following pictures
and writing on the next slides. Are the
colons/ semi-colons used correctly?

5. Are the colons/ semi-colons used correctly? Can you explain how you know?
Homer Simpson is not a good father for the following reasons: greediness, laziness, and aggressiveness.

6. Are the colons/ semi-colons used correctly? Can you explain how you know?
John had been partying on Saturday: he wanted nothing more than to spend all Sunday in bed.

7. Are the colons/ semi-colons used correctly? Can you explain how you know?
She had dyed her: hair 3 colours pink, purple and blue.

8. Are the colons/ semi-colons used correctly? Can you explain how you know?
Kermit hated getting in the bath; he had a phobia of soapy water!

9. Are the colons/ semi-colons used correctly? Can you explain how you know?
Geoffrey was listening out for three things; food: treats: and walkies!

10. It’s now time to demonstrate that you understand where
colons and semi-colons should be placed.
Insert the correct punctuation (including colons and semi-
colons) into the sentences, phrases, and passages on the
worksheet.

11. Learning Objectives
- To know what colons and semi-colons are, and
when they should be used;
- To understand the effect of colons and semi-
colons in writing;
- To use subtle and appropriate colons and
semi-colons in my own writing.
How are we doing
against our learning
objectives?

12. It’s now important that we understand the effect that
colons and semi-colons have upon a piece of writing.
Read the passage about the castaway on a tropical island,
and explain the effect that the colons and semi-colons
have upon the piece as a whole.
Why has the writer included them? Are they effective?

13. Colons can have a huge effect upon the sentences/passages that they are written in. They prepare the reader for the fact
that a list or a quotation is coming, so they know to pause and take a breath. They also change their tone. Sentences can
sound wrong (and can be uncomfortable to read) if colons are not inserted correctly.
The effect of a semi-colon can be extremely powerful also. It shows that ideas are closely related (that’s why you don’t
just use a full stop, but makes the reader pause for longer than they would with a comma. This allows the reader to fully
take in and appreciate ideas.

14. Learning Objectives
- To know what colons and semi-colons are, and
when they should be used;
- To understand the effect of colons and semi-
colons in writing;
- To use subtle and appropriate colons and
semi-colons in my own writing.
How are we doing
against our learning
objectives?

15. You are now going to imagine that you are stranded on a tropical island!
Describe your experience, using colons and semi-colons to:
- List the key features around you;
- Describe your emotions, linking related ideas;
- List any items that you find;
- Describe the setting, linking related ideas;
- Introduce speech or dialogue between people.

16. Using the help-sheet, gauge the success of your/ your partner’s review.
Give them one tick comment (what went well)
And
Give them one target comment (even better if)
How did they do against the learning objectives for the lesson?
Learning Objectives
- To know what colons and semi-colons are, and
when they should be used;
- To understand the effect of colons and semi-
colons in writing;
- To use subtle and appropriate colons and
semi-colons in my own writing.

17. Learning Objectives
- To know what colons and semi-colons are, and
when they should be used;
- To understand the effect of colons and semi-
colons in writing;
- To use subtle and appropriate colons and
semi-colons in my own writing.
How are we doing
against our learning
objectives?

18. Write two sentences about this picture. One should use a colon, and one should use a semi-colon.
Try the opening task again – have you improved?

19. All images are licensed for commercial use
Slide 1: ‘Funny’ – www.pixabay.com
Slide 4-9: ‘Sparkles’ – www.pixabay.com
Slide 5: ‘Homer Simpson Comedy Hombre’ – www.flickr.com
Slide 6: ‘Free Photo, cat tired’ – www.pixabay.com
Slide 7: ‘Free Photo – Young girl, hair, photo’ – www.pixabay.com
Slide 8: ‘Free Photo funny bathroom frog’ – www.pixabay.com
Slide 9: ‘Free Photo dog funny face’ – www.pixabay.com
Tropical Island Worksheet: ‘free vector graphic – beach’ – www.pixabay.com