Examples:

There is a lot I need to do today: fold the laundry, wash the dishes, clean out the car, and vacuum the living room.

There is a lot I need to do today:
1) fold the laundry,
2) wash the dishes,
3) clean out the car, and
4) vacuum the living room.

There is a lot I need to do today:
1) Fold the laundry.
2) Wash the dishes.
3) Clean out the car.
4) Vacuum the living room.

There is a lot I need to do today: 1) fold the laundry, 2) wash the dieshes, 3) clean out the car, and 4) vacuum the living room.

There are many, many ways. Consistency is key! Whichever way you use to begin, be sure you are using the same way to end it.



I went to the art fair: it had more people than I expected in attendance.
I went to the art fair: the displayed art was absolutely magnificent.

I went to the art fair: It had more people than I expected in attendance. The displayed art was absolutely magnificent.

Independent Clauses: Sally collected seashells by the seashore. She put them into a bucket.
Sally collected seashells by the seashore; she put them into a bucket.

Independent Clauses: Bob earned his associate's degree last summer. His sister earned her cooking certificate at the same time.
Bob earned his associate's degree last summer; his sister earned her cooking certificate at the same time.

Independent Clauses: Charlie earned his business degree last year. Consequently, he was hired nearly immediately at a local company.
Charlie earned his business degree last year; consequently, he was hired nearly immediately at a local company.

Now, at this point, you may be asking what the point of using semicolons here is. You can very easily write all of these as independent sentences, and it won't be any different. You're right! If in doubt, there's nothing wrong with a period.



Without Semicolons: I need blue, red, and green paint, small, medium and large brushes, and a new canvas and easel.
With Semicolons: I need blue, red, and green paint; small, medium and large brushes; and a new canvas and easel.

The first one looks like a comma meltdown - while the second is much more clear.