How to Write Using Colons

What is a colon?

One dot above a period, it's the punctuation equivalent of a good movie trailer.

Wikipedia says, "The most common use of the colon is to inform the reader that what follows the colon proves, explains, or lists elements of what preceded it."

What does it do?

It creates anticipation for something more. Where the sentence before it is vague, the items that come after it add specifics and further explanation.

It can* . . .

• introduce a list

Ex: I have three sisters: Daphne, Rose, and Suzanne.

• reveal a logical consequence

Ex: There was only one possible explanation: the train had never arrived.

• shows apposition

Ex: Luruns could not speak: He was drunk.

• introduces speech

Ex: Benjamin Franklin proclaimed the virtue of frugality: A penny saved is a penny earned.

How do I write a sentence using one?

Follow the basic pattern: Complete Sentence || Colon || Further Information

Before the colon . . .

• Make the sentence grammatically complete
• Make it vague
• Let it build suspense
• It should leave the reader asking a question

After the colon . . .

• It must answer the question raised in the preceding sentence
• It needs to add specific information that informs the preceding sentence

How to tackle your colon writing assignment due Thursday 25 October 2012

The assignment:

Write 5 sentences, each using a colon to introduce a descriptive element.

• All simple in structure
• 1 using an appositive middle branch
• 2 using out-of-order adjective middle branch
• 1 in the active voice (no middle branch)
• 1 in the passive voice (no middle branch)

My Examples:

1. Paris Hilton, ditsy and vapid, wears unintelligent clothing: shirts with, not one, but two grammatical errors on them. (out-of-order adjectives middle branch)

2. La Sierra's event this Friday, the Haunted High School, should bring many interesting people: thrill seekers, nerds, scaredy-cats, and people with nothing better to do on a Friday evening. (appositive middle branch)

3. Parent-teacher conferences, informative and scary, reveal the truth about certain types students: they are lazier than their parents thought. (out-of-order adjectives middle branch)

4. Mr. Frieden assigns a lot of work: grammar assignments, essays, reading, and annotating. (active voice)

5. The presidential debate was watched by all different kinds of Americans on Monday evening: Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents, and even non-citizens. 

You will assess one another on this assignment on Friday. It's out of 50 points. Here's the link to the scoring guide: Colon Usage Assignment Scoring Guide

*Examples taken from wikipedia.org

Today's Grammar Quiz

Results of the Grammar Quiz

Well, today's quiz results were less than impressive. Each class averaged approximately 24 out of 32 points, which is 66%. And in terms of quizzes in general, this average score is higher than most; however, I'm sure some of you find that number unacceptable.

What I learned is that we need to review the basics as we move forward. Also, we need to go over the nuances of some of the simpler concepts (i.e. FANBOYS and the function of each coordinating conjunction).

I will pass back the quizzes on Thursday. At that point, if you would like to get some of your points back, you can fill out a grade challenge/change form.

Sentences of the Week: Colon lesson

After the quiz, we took notes on colons and many students learned something new about them.

Here is the PowerPoint of today's lesson, in case you missed it: Colon Lesson

If you make it all the way through presentation, you will notice an assignment at the end. It's a challenge, and my intention is that we will work on it in class where I can address all of your questions. There's no need to work on it at home, unless you're a glutton for punishment.

I will put up a blog post tomorrow that details some of the challenges in completing the lesson, so stay tuned.

Keeping up with the blog

I have added a feature on the sidebar (that area to the right of the post) where you can put in your email address and every time I post on the blog it will push an email to you, alerting you that there is an update. Please sign up.

Grammar Quiz: Emphasis "Middle Branching"

Grammar Quiz Tomorrow

Paris Hilton is one of the many reasons we have grammar quizzes.

Tomorrow your quiz will have an emphasis on what we've been learning about middle branching.

Terms you need to know for tomorrow include:

• Appositives
• Noun
• Adjective
• Sentence Structure
• Simple
• Compound
• Complex
• Compound-complex
• Coordinating Conjunction (FANBOYS)
• Subordinating Conjunction (AAAWWUBBIS)
• Active/Passive Voice

It's not good enough just to know what these terms ARE. You must also know what they DO.

By the way (or, as Barney Stinson would say, "Bee Tee Dub"), your quiz is out of 32 points! That's right, 32 points. It almost sounds like a test...but, it's not. It's a quiz.

Final Drafts Due Tomorrow!

Your Final Draft of Your Essay is Due Tomorrow!

Don't forget, ladies and gentlemen. Also, remember that I am NOT printing anyone's essay from my printer. If you need it printed from someone at school, then (1) find a more charitable teacher than Frieden, or (2) print it at the library.

Coming up in ERWC

What's coming up in ERWC

I will be out of class on Thursday and Friday (10/18 - 10/19). Here is a run down of what I expect you to accomplish while I am away:

• Thursday: Appositives Assignment
• Friday: Out-of-Order Adjectives Assignment
• Over the Weekend: Type up the final draft of your essay
• Monday: Submit your essay along with your rough drafts

Concerning the Final Draft of your essay

Many of you neglected some features in your rough draft that you will need in your final draft:

• In-text Citations
• Setting up quotations
• Documentation of your citation (Works Cited page)
• Perfect MLA formatting

Follow the links in the bullet points above for further information on these items.

I will also give you my access to www.mlahandbook.org. If you have any questions about citation, that source has the answer. And there's a search engine. Check the edmodo post for username and password. 

ERWC Calendar

I have created a Google Calendar for this class and attached it to a page on this blog. I'm not good a writing to-do lists and using physical calendars, but this I can do. I will do my best to keep this up-to-date as often as possible.

Also, instead of asking me what we did in class when you are absent, please look at the calendar.

The Class Calendar page can be accessed by clicking on the link just under the blog banner.

Timed-Write in class tomorrow

Dear ERWC students,

This is just a reminder that you have a timed-write in class tomorrow. I'm sorry. This one sneaked up on me and I was out of the classroom too much last week. Forgive me.

Here are the strategies we discussed in class that should help you with tomorrow's in-class essay:

First, when reading the author's argument...

1. Underline key words
2. Circle the author's argument (or thesis)
3. State to what extent you agree/disagree

(Here's a pic to demonstrate what I'm talking about)

Second, when reading the instructions (the writing prompt)...

1. Circle the imperative verbs.
• Number the amount of verbs
• The total number of verbs indicates how many tasks you need to attend to in your essay
2. Underline what the verb is telling you what to do.

(Here's a pic to demonstrate what I'm talking about)

Third, jot down a quick plan on the back that includes...

1. your thesis (or at least a short version of it)
2. the main points of your essay
• 1 - 4 words in length
• Bullet list

(Here's a pic to demonstrate what I'm talking about)

Last, as you are writing, remember that an effective way to balance your tasks is to continually refer back to the text in each paragraph. This is the analogy of the rappeler swinging away from the cliff and coming back to it, just like you need to develop your own opinion while always returning to the argument of the text.

PowerPoint on the rappelling analogy

Note: for some reason, when this PowerPoint converted to a Google Presentation, my repeller's head fell off.  I have no idea where it went.

Good luck tomorrow! Follow these steps and you will do well.