Year 10 - English
Using colons, dashes, and semicolons effectively in opinion writing
Non-fiction: changing views
Study Hub
Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils develop their non-fiction reading and writing skills. They look at a range of nineteenth century and modern texts in tandem, and practise comparing viewpoints. They then practise emulating different techniques from the texts in order to develop their speech and opinion writing.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use colons, semicolon and dashes to elevate your opinion writing.
Key Notes
- 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).
Vocabulary To Learn
- 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 Mistakes To Avoid
- Semicolons can be used to join any two clauses of any length.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key 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.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'independent clause'
part of a sentence that makes sense on its own with no extra information required.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Semicolons can be used to join any two clauses of any length. Correction: 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.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Analysing and comparing language techniques in non-fiction writing Study Guide
- Considering and analysing attitude in non-fiction writing Study Guide
- Considering and analysing the use of anecdotes in a non-fiction text Study Guide
- Considering and emulating onomatopoeia and alliteration in speech writing Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of anaphora in speech writing Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of direct address in the opening of a speech Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of extended analogies in non-fiction writing Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of hyperbole in opinion writing Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of rhetorical questions in opinion writing Study Guide
- Considering and emulating the use of similes in non-fiction writing Study Guide
- Considering and understanding the attitude of a non-fiction text Study Guide
- Crafting an effective comparison of non-fiction texts Study Guide
- Developing reading skills and personal responses to non-fiction texts Study Guide
- Planning a speech and building your counter-argument Study Guide
- Using comparatives and superlatives to effectively compare non-fiction texts Study Guide
- Using inference and embedded quotations to craft effective summaries Study Guide
- Using rhetorical devices to write an effective speech Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 10 English guide library.