Using colons, dashes, and semicolons effectively in opinion writing
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use colons, semicolon and dashes to elevate my opinion writing.
Key learning points
- In a sentence with a colon, one side of the colon makes sense; the other side provides detail or clarification.
- Semicolons link or contrast two independent clauses that each make sense on their own.
- A pair of dashes can be used in place of commas to enhance readability.
- Dashes are always more emphatic than commas (they express a point more forcibly and create a longer pause).
Keywords
Independent clause - part of a sentence that makes sense on its own with no extra information required
Colon - a piece of punctuation (:) that can introduce lists and provide further explanation
Semicolon - a piece of punctuation (;) that can separate two closely related independent clauses
Dashes - pieces of punctuation (-) that can introduce extra information as a parentheses
Clarity - the quality of being coherent and intelligible
Common misconception
Semicolons can be used to join any two clauses of any length.
The clauses joined by a semicolon must be both be independent clauses (which means they make sense of their own) and should be linked in terms of their subject matter.
Teacher tip
At the end of the lesson, encourage students to write a sentence using each of the punctuation marks and peer mark each other's work, checking if all three types of punctuation were used correctly.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match these punctuation marks to their correct definition.
can introduce lists and provide further explanation
can separate two closely related clauses
can introduce extra information as a parentheses when used in pairs
can indicate an exclamation of some kind
Q2.What type of sentence is being described here? 'A sentence made up of an independent (main) clause and a dependent (subordinate) clause.'
Q3.Which punctuation mark is being described here? 'A piece of punctuation that can separate two closely related independent clauses.'
Q4.What device is being described here: 'repetition of the same initial consonant sound in closely positioned words'?
Q5.When writing a speech, we are aiming to engage the audience. What does 'engage' mean in this context?
Q6.Laura wrote a persuasive speech where she began several sentences with the phrase 'We must act now,'. What device has Laura used?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How does opinion writing differ from speech writing?
Q2.Where are you most likely to find opinion writing?
Q3.Which of these sentences uses a semicolon correctly?
Q4.Which of these sentences uses a colon correctly?
Q5.Read this sentence: 'I need to buy groceries—milk, eggs and bread and clean the house.' It is grammatically incorrect. How would we need to redraft it to make it correct?
Q6.Read this sentence: 'She was a brave woman her struggle would be remembered for years to come.' Which punctuation mark should go in this gap?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Using colons, dashes, and semicolons effectively in opinion writing, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Using colons, dashes, and semicolons effectively in opinion writing, 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.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Non-fiction: changing views unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.