Colons: first function
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use the colon to introduce a list or a question.
Key learning points
- A colon is a piece of punctuation with more than one purpose.
- A colon is always placed after a main clause.
- A colon can introduce a list or a question.
- A colon can help to improve text cohesion.
Keywords
Colon - a piece of punctuation placed after a main clause that can introduce a list or a question
Main clause - a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense
Text cohesion - how a text flows to maintain the interest of the reader and achieve text purpose
Common misconception
Pupils may not place a main clause before the colon.
Emphasise that for questions and lists, we always have a main clause before the colon; for questions, we also have one after the colon.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to use colons to combine complex and compound sentences in question form as a way of improving text cohesion. The use of the colon allows us to connect sentences and remove interruptions to the flow of the text.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What can we use hyphens for?
Q2.Which numbers are punctuated correctly?
Q3.Which of these phrases requires a hyphen to create a compound adjective?
Q4.Which of these sentences uses the word 'recover' to mean 'get back to normal'?
Q5.Match the prefixes with hyphens to the root words that they could be joined to.
active
centred
verbal
author
Q6.Which of these sentences use ellipsis correctly?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following could be used to introduce a list?
Q2.Match the main clauses to the lists that could follow the colon.
mince pies, a turkey, potatoes, rice and double cream.
Spain, Portugal and Switzerland.
a book, a hair tie, a cricket bat and a watch.
Q3.Which of these sentences is correctly punctuated?
Q4.Which of these could come before a question introduced by the colon?
Q5.Which of these sentences is the correct version?
Q6.Which of the following are possible uses for a colon?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Colons: first function, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Colons: first function, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the Punctuation unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.