Year 6 - English
Colons: second function
Punctuation
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils review a range of previously taught punctuation, including speech punctuation for three different types of speech sentence and apostrophes for contraction and singular and plural possession. They are also introduced to hyphens, colons, semi-colons and bullet points.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use the colon to introduce an explanation.
Key Notes
- 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 an explanation of the noun preceding it.
- A colon can help to improve text cohesion.
Vocabulary To Learn
- colon: a piece of punctuation placed after a main clause that can introduce an explanation
- 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 Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may give a consequence instead of an explanation after the colon.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
A colon is a piece of punctuation with more than one purpose. A colon is always placed after a main clause.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'colon'
a piece of punctuation placed after a main clause that can introduce an explanation.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may give a consequence instead of an explanation after the colon. Correction: Ask the question 'why?' about the part of the sentence before the colon - the answer should be an explanation not a consequence.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 6 English guide library.