Intro

Chloe Brotherton

English 1510

September 22, 2012

Questioning a Construct: Semicolon

                What is a semicolon?  What is it used for?  The semicolon is seen in articles and other pieces of writings but is not always understood.  According to Lynne Truss, British expert on grammar, many non-writers avoid the semicolon.  Not as simple as the comma or period, it’s definitely considered one of the more unpopular punctuation marks; possibly because not many people know how to use it.  Besides being a neat little symbol of a dot on top of a comma, it has several uses and can be practiced as an effective writing tool.  Perhaps if people knew how to properly use the semicolon, it would be used more in their writings.

                Developed in 1494 by Aldus Manutius the Elder, an Italian printer, the semicolon was used to separate words of opposed meaning and to indicate interdependent statements.  The semicolon was first used systematically by an English writer, Ben Jonson, later on.  The semicolon is sometimes avoided because, according to Lynne Truss, "They are old-fashioned", "They are middle-class", "They are optional", "They are mysteriously connected to pausing" and many other reasons.  While some of those reasons may be understandable, the semicolon is still an important part of punctuation.  Its functions include listing items, linking related or independent clauses, connecting sentences that contain internal punctuation, or as a moderate pause.  Do not use it with a conjunction, though; that’s a common misconception of the semicolon.  Typically a semicolon is used when forming a bond between two relating of contrasting statements.