Grammar: Colons

• How can identifying the use of colons in a text help us better understand an author's purpose or intent?

• In what ways can colons be used to create emphasis or enhance the reader's understanding of key ideas in a text?

• How does the use of a colon impact the tone, structure, and meaning of a sentence in literature?

Essential Questions:

• Students will identify the role of colons in conveying meaning or emphasis in literature.

• Students will analyze the use of colons in literary texts.

• Students will understand the proper use of colons in writing.

Lesson Objectives:

Lesson Plan: Analyzing Colons in Literature

A colon (:) is a powerful punctuation mark that can signal to the reader that more information is coming. It serves as a gateway between two parts of a sentence, indicating that what follows will explain, clarify, or expand upon the initial thought. Colons are versatile and are used in both formal writing and literature to enhance clarity and add emphasis.

Colons:

Example: He had one goal in mind: to win the championship.

• Before an Explanation or Clarification: A colon can be used to link a statement with its explanation, elaboration, or clarification. It signals that what comes after the colon will expand on or explain what came before it.

Example: She packed everything she needed for the trip: clothes, toiletries, snacks, and a map.

• Introducing a List: Colons are often used to introduce a list, especially after an independent clause. The sentence before the colon should be able to stand on its own as a complete sentence.

Common Uses of Colons:

Colons:

Example: There’s only one thing left to do: run!

• For Emphasis: Colons can also be used to draw attention to a specific point or idea, often providing dramatic emphasis to the second part of the sentence.

Example: The coach said it best: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

• Introducing a Quote:

Then an independent clause introduces a quotation, a colon is used to separate the lead-in from the quote.

Common Uses of Colons:

Colons:

• In literature, colons can be used to create emphasis, focus, or a dramatic pause, affecting how the reader interprets the sentence.

• What comes before the colon should be a complete sentence that introduces or sets up the information that follows.

• A colon signals that more information is coming, often in the form of a list, an explanation, or a quote.

Key Points to Remember:

In this example, the colon is used to introduce a surprising and important observation about the character, creating emphasis on the transformation being described.

Example from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby: “There was a change in Gatsby that was simply confounding: he literally glowed.”

In literature, colons are often used to create emphasis or to signal a dramatic pause. Authors use colons to shape the flow of their writing and highlight important moments or shifts in the narrative. This can affect the reader’s experience, making certain ideas stand out and creating tension or anticipation.

The Role of Colons in Literature:

Meaning

Explanantion

Structure

Tone

• How does the use of a colon impact the tone, structure, and meaning of this sentence?

Activating Question

• What kind of tone does it set, and what does it signal about the sentence’s structure?

"There is one thing every writer needs: discipline."

Click on bookcovers for answers.

Example 3: "There was only one thing left to do: fight." — From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Example 2: "They brought everything to the picnic: sandwiches, fruit, chips, and lemonade." — From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Example 1: "He had one great fear: failure." — From "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway

Below are three excerpts from literature. For each excerpt, identify which type of colon is being used:

• Introducing a List
• Before an Explanation or Clarification
• For Emphasis

Practice: Identifying Types of Colons in Literature

Additional Practice

D. I want to visit: Paris, London, and New York.

Additional Practice

Tone: The colon adds a sense of formality and emphasis. It makes the sentence feel more authoritative, as if what follows the colon is an important revelation or truth. The tone is confident and assertive, highlighting the value of discipline as something essential for every writer.

There is one thing every writer needs: discipline.

Structure: The structure is set up to create anticipation. The colon acts as a break, separating the general statement from the specific information that completes or explains it. Without the colon, the sentence might lose its impact or feel less structured. The colon ensures that "discipline" stands out, making it the focus of the sentence.

There is one thing every writer needs: discipline.

The colon affects the tone by making the sentence feel more formal and authoritative. It structures the sentence to create a clear pause, followed by an important clarification. In terms of meaning, the colon emphasizes "discipline" as the one essential quality, making it stand out more dramatically than if the sentence were structured differently.

In the sentence "There is one thing every writer needs: discipline," the colon serves as a pivotal point between the two parts of the sentence.

• The first part, "There is one thing every writer needs," builds suspense and sets up an expectation in the reader’s mind.
• The colon signals that what follows is crucial information that directly answers or completes the thought. In this case, "discipline" is the key idea being emphasized.

Meaning: The use of the colon makes the sentence more direct and impactful. It tells the reader that discipline is the singular, vital attribute that writers need. The colon allows the writer to emphasize this single word, making its importance clear. Without the colon, the sentence might not carry the same weight or focus.

There is one thing every writer needs: discipline.

"He had one great fear: failure." — From "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway

• Type of Colon: Before an Explanation or Clarification
• Explanation: The colon introduces the explanation or clarification of what the "great fear" is — in this case, "failure." It emphasizes the idea of failure and focuses the reader’s attention on this critical detail. The colon helps create a more dramatic tone, making the idea of failure seem more significant.

"They brought everything to the picnic: sandwiches, fruit, chips, and lemonade." — From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

• Type of Colon: Introducing a List
• Explanation: The colon introduces a list of items brought to the picnic. The sentence before the colon is a complete thought, and the colon serves to clarify and detail what "everything" refers to. This helps the reader visualize the scene and makes the sentence more specific.

"There was only one thing left to do: fight." — From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

• Type of Colon: For Emphasis
• Explanation: The colon is used for emphasis, introducing the critical action that follows — "fight." The colon creates a pause that builds suspense, making the word "fight" stand out. This heightens the drama of the moment and conveys a sense of urgency and importance.