How is a colon used in writing?
How is a colon used in writing?
You can use a colon to connect two sentences when the second sentence summarizes, sharpens, or explains the first. Both sentences should be complete, and their content should be very closely related. Note that if you use colons this way too often, it can break up the flow of your writing.
When using a colon to introduce a list what must the colon follow?
Use a colon to introduce an item or list, if the list comes after a complete sentence or independent clause. For example: There are three things every dog needs: food, water and healthcare.
What effect does a colon have on the reader?
The colon can also be used to introduce a grammatically independent sentence. Thus, I call it the most powerful of punctuation marks. The colon is like a sign on the highway, announcing that something important is coming. It acts as an arrow pointing forward, telling you to read on for important information.
What is the effect of a colon in English?
Colons. A colon introduces an element or series of elements that illustrates or amplifies the information that preceded the colon. While a semicolon normally joins two independent clauses to signal a close connection between them, a colon does the job of directing you to the information following it.
Should a colon be used before a list?
Colons with Lists. Use a colon before a list when the list is preceded by a complete independent clause. Never use a colon to separate a preposition from its objects or a verb from its complements. Some form of the word follow usually indicates a colon before the list.
What is the bulleted list?
A bulleted list is an unordered list of items where every item has a graphical bullet. The bullets may be characters of different fonts, as well as graphical icons. Bulleted lists help the author structure the text in a better way – provide a list of application components, list of usage scenarios, etc.
Do bullets need periods?
Here is what I recommend: Use a period (full stop) after every bullet point that is a sentence (as these bullets do). Use no punctuation after bullets that are not sentences and do not complete the stem. Use all sentences or all fragments, not a mixture.
How do you write a bullet point?
How to write powerful bullet points
- Think of a bullet point as a mini headline.
- Highlight elements key to understanding the content of your article.
- Keep it simple.
- Keep bullets thematically related.
- Make your bullet points symmetrical . . . just like the ones here.
- Work in keywords.
- Don’t overdo it.