Punctuation

• Semicolon (;) Is used in sentences which already contain commas or to join correlating sentences. Such as:

  Example

  The cities I visit the most in Minnesota are Minneapolis, MN; St. Paul, MN; and St. Cloud, MN.

  Christmas is my family's favorite holiday; we gather together every year.

• Colon (:) Is used after a word to introduce a list, quotation, an example, or be used after a salutation in a letter.

  Example

  I have a few things in my back pack: a calculator, book, and a pencil.

  My mother once told me: "Don't say anything if you have nothing nice to say."

• Period (.) Is used in abbreviations or to end a sentence. Example
  Having and education is important to my family.

  My classes start at 8:30 a.m. tomorrow morning.

• Quotation Marks ("") Are used in the beginning and ending of a quote.

  Example

  When the customer left she said, "Thank you."
• Dash (-) Is used to add information into the core of a sentence, or before a phrase that explains the concept of the sentence.

  Example

  I had to ask myself - is it really worth my time?

  Dishonesty, bad attitude, and rudeness - these are my biggest pet peeves.

Back