Essay Writing Help - Punctuation Colons
Colons are used to introduce one sentence or sequence ofsentences.
In essays, a colon will commonly be used to introducequotations, lists or explanations. A colon can also be used for rhetoricaleffect to add emphasis to a point being made.
Colons are used conventionally to introduce longerquotations which can not be fit easily into the grammar of the main prose:
- In sonnet 116, Shakespeare said: Love is not love/ Whichalters when it alteration finds...
As you can see in the example above, a colon is also used to introduce aseparate sub-paragraph - note that in essays, many longer quotations will begiven a sub-paragraph of their own. A colon also introduces a list. To recap, so far we have illustrated three things which a colon can be used to introduce: quotations, sub-paragraphs and lists.
In all the above examples, the two sections separated by acolon are grammatically distinct and complete regardless of the other. It wouldbe grammatically correct to separate them with a full-stop, but the decision touse a colon is made to indicate the connection between the two. This can causesome confusion. Look at the following:
- One of Shakespeare's most famous declarations about love is: Loveis not love/ Which alters when it alteration finds;
- A colon should be used to introduce: a quotation, a sub-paragraphor a list.
In these examples, the colon is used incorrectly because thetwo clauses either side of the colon are not grammatically complete.
A colon can have a number of other rhetorical effects,mostly by giving emphasis to explanations and examples. For example:
- A colon does something useful for the writer: itintroduces a pause which can be used for emphasis;
- Punctuation can often cause confusion: an example is thecorrect use of colon.
Be careful if using colons for emphasis to make sure that itis appropriate, and avoid over-use. Attention also needs to be paid to the useof capital letters after colons. Opinion is divided as to whether a capitalletter should be used after a colon or not.
In general, most people agree that a capital letter is needed if a colon is followed by a quotation or by more than one sentence. Whether you use one in other cases or not, the main thing is to make sure you are consistent throughout the whole of your essay.
Further Resources:
Need a bit more help with your essay writing?
One of our qualified experts will help you today. Fill the form in below to get started:
