January 30, 2012
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:

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.

accordingly	further	likewise	similarly
also	furthermore	meanwhile	still
anyway	hence	moreover	then
besides	however	nevertheless	thereafter
certainly	indeed	next	therefore
consequently	incidentally	nonetheless	thus

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