6.2 Colons & Semicolons

Blueprint topics 20204 and 20205 ask you to identify the correct usage of a colon and a semicolon. Both marks are common in transcripts, and both have transcript-specific uses.

The colon

Transcript format uses

The Guide to Judiciary Policy (§ 520.36.35(b)) specifies that in colloquy the speaker identification is "followed directly by a colon" and the statement begins on the third space after the colon. In other words, two spaces follow the colon.

Grammatical uses

A colon introduces something that explains or lists, but only after a complete independent clause:

• List: He had three things in the bag: a camera, ammunition, and magazines.
• Explanation: My concern was simple: the baby was in the house.
• Formal or long quotation: The paragraph reads as follows: "The contractor shall indemnify the owner."

Colon errors

The most tested error is a colon directly after a verb or a preposition, where the words before it are not a complete clause:

After a colon, capitalize the next word only if it starts a complete sentence, a quotation or a proper noun (styles vary; be consistent).

The semicolon

Joining related independent clauses

A semicolon joins two independent clauses that are closely related, without a coordinating conjunction:

He had not arrested him; he just wanted to talk to him.

A period would also be correct. A comma would create a comma splice.

Before conjunctive adverbs

When a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, consequently, moreover, nevertheless, otherwise, instead, meanwhile) joins two independent clauses, use a semicolon before it and a comma after it:

The letter arrived on July 14; however, nobody opened it until the next week.

If the speaker says "but" instead of "however," the rule changes to a comma before but: The letter arrived on July 14, but nobody opened it. Listen to the actual word.

Series with internal commas

When list items contain commas, semicolons separate the items:

Present were Emerson McHenry, for the State; Pauline Jefferson, for the defendant; and Sarah Smith, the court reporter.

Transcript conventions from AAERT's samples

Objections. AAERT's examination samples write:

          MR. NADLER:  Objection, Your Honor; compound.
          MR. NADLER:  Objection, Your Honor; hearsay.

The semicolon separates the objection from its stated ground.

Rulings with reasons. The same pattern works for short rulings: Sustained; it's argumentative.

"Is that correct?" tags. The Scalini key: this all happened on the 24th of September; is that correct? The semicolon joins the statement to the question tag, and the sentence ends with a question mark.

Parentheticals. The Scalini key's opening parenthetical combines two notations with a semicolon: (Defendant present; jury not present.)

Answers to multiple questions. Yes; I think that would be best. (AAERT exhibit-marking sample: "THE COURT: Yes; I think that would be best.")

Colon or semicolon? A quick test

• Is what follows an explanation, list or quotation of what came before? Use a colon (if a full clause precedes it).
• Is what follows another complete, equal thought? Use a semicolon (or a period).
• Does a coordinating conjunction (and, but, so) join the clauses? Use a comma, not a semicolon.

Practice

Punctuate: the gates were locked however the guard was still inside

→ The gates were locked; however, the guard was still inside.

Punctuate: I spoke to three people Officer Bean the Chief and Lieutenant Beauregard

→ I spoke to three people: Officer Bean, the Chief, and Lieutenant Beauregard.

Punctuate: objection your honor argumentative

→ Objection, Your Honor; argumentative.

Punctuate: she said she had three concerns the baby the gun and his state of mind

→ She said she had three concerns: the baby, the gun, and his state of mind.

Punctuate: I didn't arrest him I just wanted to talk

→ I didn't arrest him; I just wanted to talk. (A period is equally correct.)

Exam traps