February 4, 2008

Writing Tip of the Week

Semicolons

The semicolon (;) is one of the easiest punctuation marks to use for connecting major sentence elements of equal grammatical rank.

1. To Separate Main, or Independent, Clauses Not Joined by a Coordinating Conjunction (and, but, or, for, nor, yet, so). Main Clauses Joined by a Semicolon Should be Closely Related in Meaning.

All of the elements of battery were present; it was a prima facie case.

Not: All of the elements of battery were present; and it was a prima facie case.

2. To Join Two Main Clauses When Using a Conjunctive Adverb Between Them

The jury decision was inconsistent with the facts; therefore, an appeal is probable.

Note: the conjunctive adverb is usually followed by a comma.

Some of the most common conjunctive adverbs are:

accordingly further likewise similarly

also furthermore meanwhile still

anyway hence moreover then

besides however nevertheless thereafter

certainly indeed next therefore

consequently incidentally nonetheless thus

3. To Separate Items in a List Introduced by a Colon

The following elements of assault are present: (1) the act was intentional; (2) the gesture caused reasonable apprehension of an imminent and harmful touching; and (3) the actor was not privileged to make the gesture.

4. To Separate Components When a List Already Contains Commas

In attendance were the firms of Abel, Baker, and Crony; Gargle, Koff, and Sneaze; and Flanders, Moe, and Barney.

Adapted from: The Legal Writing Handbook—Oates, Enquist, & Kunsch

Prepared by Jennifer Lussier and Chris Dunn