Punctuation | Page 6

the proper application of certain principles. The
compositor may find himself helped, or restricted, by the established
style of the office, or he may at times be held to strict following of copy.
When left to himself he must be guided by the following general
principles:
I. The comma is used to separate for the eye what is separate in
thought.
The comma is not intended to break the matter up into lengths suited to
the breath of one reading aloud.
The comma is not an æsthetic device to improve the appearance of the
line.
II. The sole purpose of the comma is the unfolding of the sense of the
words.
III. The comma cannot be correctly used without a thorough
understanding of the sense of the words.
IV. In case of doubt, omit the comma.

THE SEMICOLON
The semicolon is used to denote a degree of separation greater than that
indicated by the comma, but less than that indicated by the colon. It
prevents the repetition of the comma and keeps apart the more
important members of the sentence. The semicolon is generally used in

long sentences, but may sometimes be properly used in short ones.
Rules for the Use of the Semicolon
1. When the members of a compound sentence are complex or contain
commas.
Franklin, like many others, was a printer; but, unlike the others, he was
student, statesman, and publicist as well.
With ten per cent of this flour the bread acquired a slight flavor of rye;
fifteen per cent gave it a dark color; a further addition made the baked
crumb very hard.
The meeting was composed of representatives from the following
districts: Newton, 4 delegates, 2 substitutes; Dorchester, 6 delegates, 3
substitutes; Quincy, 8 delegates, 4 substitutes; Brookline, 10 delegates,
5 substitutes.
2. When the members of a compound sentence contain statements
distinct, but not sufficiently distinct to be thrown into separate
sentences.
Sit thou a patient looker-on; Judge not the play before the play be done;
Her plot has many changes; every day Speaks a new scene. The last act
crowns the play.
3. When each of the members of a compound sentence makes a distinct
statement and has some dependence on statements in the other member
or members of the sentence.
Wisdom hath builded her house; she hath hewn out her seven pillars;
she hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath
furnished her table.
Each member of this sentence is nearly complete. It is not quite a full
and definite statement, but it is much more than a mere amplification
such as we might get by leaving out she hath every time after the first.

In the former case we should use periods. In the latter we should use
commas.
4. A comma is ordinarily used between the clauses of a compound
sentence that are connected by a simple conjunction, but a semicolon
may be used between clauses connected by conjunctive adverbs.
Compare the following examples:
The play was neither edifying nor interesting to him, and he decided to
change his plans.
The play was neither edifying nor interesting to him; therefore he
decided to change his plans.
5. To indicate the chapter references in scriptural citations.
Matt. i: 5, 7, 9; v: 1-10; xiv: 3, 8, 27.
The semicolon should always be put outside quotation marks unless it
forms a part of the quotation itself.
"Take care of the cents and the dollars will take care of themselves"; a
very wise old saying.

THE COLON
The colon marks the place of transition in a long sentence consisting of
many members and involving a logical turn of the thought. Both the
colon and semicolon are much less used now than formerly. The
present tendency is toward short, simple, clear sentences, with
consequent little punctuation, and that of the open style. Such sentences
need little or no aid to tell their story.
Rules for the Use of the Colon
1. Before as, viz., that is, namely, etc., when these words introduce a
series of particular terms in apposition with a general term.

The American flag has three colors: namely, red, white, and blue.
2. Between two members of a sentence when one or both are made up
of two or more clauses divided by semicolons.
The Englishman was calm and self-possessed; his antagonist impulsive
and self-confident: the Englishman was the product of a volunteer army
of professional soldiers; his antagonist was the product of a drafted
army of unwilling conscripts.
3. Before particular elements in a definite statement.
Bad: He asked what caused the accident? Right: He asked, "What
caused the accident?"
Napoleon said to his army at the battle of the Pyramids: "Soldiers, forty
centuries are looking down upon you."
The duties of the superintendent are grouped under three