The document discusses the uses and importance of semicolons in punctuation. It provides three scenarios for when to use semicolons: 1) between two independent clauses that express closely related ideas, 2) before a conjunctive adverb that joins clauses of a compound sentence, and 3) to avoid confusion in lists with many commas. The first scenario is explained in detail with examples showing how a semicolon can clearly join two related independent clauses, unlike a comma which would create a comma splice error.

1. The Semicolon:
Superhero of Punctuation
Everywhere!

2. When?
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3. WHY?
• Need to connect closely related ideas?
• Teacher says you must vary your sentence
structure?
SOLUTION:

4. WHERE?
Scenario 1:
Between Independent Clauses that express closely
related ideas
Scenario 2:
Before a conjunctive adverb that joins clauses of
a compound sentence
Scenario 3:
To avoid confusion in lists with lots of commas

5. Scenario 1

6. Scenario 1: Between Independent Clauses
that express closely related ideas
Ind. Clause 1
Michael
seemed
cranky.
Ind. Clause 2
He burned
his foot the
night before
on a George
Foreman
grill.

7. Coverage-Covered and Covered to a Limit (key)
Call Listening and Evaluation
Agero Acronyms and Memory Game
Scenario 1: How could you combine these?
Michael seemed cranky. He burned his foot the night
before on a George Foreman Grill.
Michael seemed cranky,he burned his foot the night
before on a George Foreman Grill.
But what does that do?

8. Coverage-Covered and Covered to a Limit (key)
Call Listening and Evaluation
Agero Acronyms and Memory Game
Scenario 1: Add a Comma? NOOOOOOOOO!
The Villainous, Dreaded
Comma Splice
Michael seemed cranky,he burned his
foot the night before on a George Foreman
Grill.

9. Coverage-Covered and Covered to a Limit (key)
Call Listening and Evaluation
Agero Acronyms and Memory Game
Scenario 1: Add a Semicolon!

10. Coverage-Covered and Covered to a Limit (key)
Call Listening and Evaluation
Agero Acronyms and Memory Game
Scenario 1: The Power of the Semicolon
Michael seemed cranky. He burned his foot the night
before on a George Foreman Grill.
Michael seemed cranky;he burned his foot the night
before on a George Foreman Grill.
What is the Impact?
Before:
After:

11. Coverage-Covered and Covered to a Limit (key)
Call Listening and Evaluation
Agero Acronyms and Memory Game
Scenario 1 Exercise:
Combine using a comma and coordinating Conjunction:
Kevin lost his shoes. He wore empty Kleenex
boxes on his feet instead.
Combine using a semicolon:
Dwight was a superhero. He sent faxes to
himself from the future.
Correct the Comma Splice:
Jim was annoyed, he stabbed the exercise ball
with a pair of scissors.