University Writing Center: Commas, Colons, and Semicolons

Commas, colons, and semicolons are some of the most easily confused punctuation marks, but they are also indispensable tools. Working with a full toolbox—Understanding the marks' different uses—enables you to meet reader expectations, indicate new relationships between words and ideas, and create variety. See below for some general guidelines for each mark.

Commas

Comma Dos: help in using commas effectively (a JMU-specific, UWC-created resource)

Comma Don'ts: helping in identifying common comma problems (a JMU-specific, UWC-created resource)

Colons

Colons (a JMU-specific, UWC-created resource)

Semicolons

Semicolons (a JMU-specific, UWC-created resource)