The Dreaded Semicolon, Pink Plastic Flamingo of the Punctuation World

Today's Topic: The Dreaded Semicolon
Semicolons are a little like pink plastic flamingos.  Nobody really knows what they're for, and they tend to be overused. 

The good news is, there are only a few rules for semicolon usage, and once you learn them, you're fine (unfortunately there are no hard and fast rules governing the use of pink plastic flamingos--you're on your own there).

1.) Use semicolons to separate two phrases that could each stand alone as a complete sentence.

Use semicolons to separate two independent clauses (ICs).  This is a fancy term for a phrase that contains a subject and a verb and could stand alone as a complete sentence. 

Use a semicolon only when the two ICs are closely related, either because the 2nd clause expands upon or restates the first, OR because the 2nd clause is in contrast to the first. 

Examples:
Heart disease is an increasingly common problem for American women; in 2008, heart disease was the leading cause of death for women in the U.S.

Many writing teachers reject the traditional five paragraph essay model, arguing that it is too rigid and discourages analytical thinking; some teachers like the model for its clarity and simplicity.

Use semicolons to separate ICs when the second IC begins with a conjunctive adverb (however, thus, moreover, furthermore, therefore, indeed, nonetheless, meanwhile, etc.) OR a transition (for example, for instance, in fact, in addition, also, in other words, etc.). 

Example:

It is always jarring when summer's balmy temperatures give way to fall's crisp chill; however, I love the gorgeous colors of the turning leaves.
You can also separate ICs with a period, of course, OR with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so, nor, for). 

Examples:
It is always jarring when summer's balmy temperatures give way to fall's crisp chill, but I love the gorgeous colors of the turning leaves.

Many writing teachers reject the traditional five paragraph essay model, arguing that it is too rigid and discourages analytical thinking.  Some teachers like the five-paragraph model for its clarity and simplicity.
When should you use a semicolon to separate ICs, and when should you use a period, or a comma + a conjunction?  Well, it's a style choice.  Pay attention to the rhythm of your paragraph.  Semicolons and commas + conjunctions are good for adding variety to a paragraph that's full of short, choppy sentences.  Periods are good when you want to give your reader a moment to pause and let an idea sink in.  Also, periods are most appropriate for two ICs that are not closely related. 

Example: 

It was freezing cold last night.  We ordered pizza. 

2.) Semicolons may be used to separate items in a list, IF one or more of the list items has its own comma. 

Examples:

We bought pansies, which remind Sophie of Mickey Mouse ears; gorgeous deep red mums; and some pumpkins, which we'll carve into jack o' lanterns before Halloween.

Janelle is from Akron, Ohio; Melania is from Jaipur, India; and Rachel is from Honolulu, Hawaii.

For more on the pink plastic flamingos of the punctuation world (such as differences between the semicolon and the colon, and a more comprehensive list of conjunctive adverbs), check out Grammar Girl Mignon  Fogerty's terrific semicolon tutorial here:  http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/semicolons.aspx

I hope you've enjoyed this week's writing tip! 

Whitney Kurtz-Ogilvie, MFAW