Year 6 - English
Semi-colons: first 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 a semi-colon to join two closely-related main clauses.
Key Notes
- A semi-colon is a piece of punctuation with more than one purpose.
- A semi-colon can be used to join two closely-related main clauses.
- A semi-colon can help to improve text cohesion.
Vocabulary To Learn
- semi-colon: a piece of punctuation that can join two closely-related main clauses
- 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 struggle with the concept of ideas being 'closely related'.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
A semi-colon is a piece of punctuation with more than one purpose. A semi-colon can be used to join two closely-related main clauses.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'semi-colon'
a piece of punctuation that can join two closely-related main clauses.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Pupils may struggle with the concept of ideas being 'closely related'. Correction: Semi-colons don't need to show cause and effect or contrast; they are versatile and we should interpret 'closely-related' broadly.
More Lessons In This Unit
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