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This week: Semicolon Use: Old-School or Archaic? Edited by: NickiD89  
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| Like many of you, I've considered myself a writer my whole life. But in 2007, I shifted out of hobbyist mode, started writing for an audience, and embarked on the exciting journey towards publication. As I continue on that path and delve ever deeper into the craft, I feed an insatiable appetite for creative writing theory. I seek out how-to books and workshop experiences to augment and amplify whatever talent I possess. For those of you like me, here's a little theory to appease your hunger. |
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Semicolon Use: Old-School or Archaic?
I'll admit it; I am fond of the semicolon. Some may accuse me of sounding like an old-school grammarian, but I hold the English language and all the grammatical rules that govern it in high regard. They are the authorial tools that allow me to communicate with accuracy. Thoughts flit through the mind, intangible and abstruse, and capturing their essence is a writer's first challenge. Without proper punctuation, the version of those abstract thoughts that makes it onto paper can be flat, lackluster, and bereft of nuance. When used correctly, the semicolon is vital in establishing balance between two thoughts, defining a relationship, and cuing the reader that attention should be paid to a nuance in the author's message.
It turns out, not all writers and editors share my enthusiasm for the semicolon. Debate about the relevance of the semicolon in today's contemporary fiction has people passionately divided into two opposing camps. Those who disagree with me believe the semicolon is an archaic mark that looks pretentious and doesn't fit with today's modern writing style. Before I discuss this once highly respected punctuation mark, let's conduct an informal poll to gauge Writing.com authors' opinion on the following question:
The English language in America is changing; there's no doubt about it. Texting on our phones and posting on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter have given rise to a new degenerate language which is abrupt, coded, and transparent. Abbreviations pass for words. Capitalization is reserved for denoting shouting. And punctuation is used almost exclusively to decorate with smiley faces. i luv 2 write. imma b published 1 day. OMG FURR REELZ dat b da truf :))
The effects on our culture are unsettling. We're increasingly conditioned for brevity, and our attention spans are shrinking. Some writers and editors maintain that strong book sales result when they cater to these shifts in cultural perceptions. The market is flooded with books stylized by plots with lightning-speed pacing, which depend on stripped down sentences that are punchy, declarative, and void of the artistic flourish of a by-gone era. The popularity of today's bestsellers seems to confirm the belief that readers don't want stories bogged down by long, lush sentences, and this speculation serves to perpetuate the cycle.
However, it's a misconception that semicolons are no longer needed in today's fiction. It is simply untrue.
According to English language punctuation rules, there are three specific situations that necessitate a semicolon, even if you don't "like" them. In each case, use of any other punctuation mark is incorrect, period.
1. Use a semicolon between closely related main clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet).
Example: "I never vote for anyone; I always vote against." (W. C. Fields)
2. Use a semicolon between main clauses linked by a conjunctive adverb (such as however and therefore) or a transitional expression (such as in fact or for example).
Example: "It is forbidden to kill; therefore, all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets." (Voltaire)
3. Use a semicolon between items in a series when the items themselves contain commas or other marks of punctuation.
Example: The sites being considered for the new Volkswagen plant are Waterloo, Iowa; Savannah, Georgia; Freestone, Virginia; and Rockville, Oregon.
(Source for numbers 1-3 above. )
The semicolon is also a tool for crafting strong sentences that convey a relationship between thoughts. In a July 19, 2012 New Yorker article called "Semicolons; So Tricky," Mary Norris says this about semicolon usage:
"If the sentence "She looked at me; I was lost for words," occurred as dialogue in a piece that I was copy-editing, I would be tempted to poke in a period and make it into two sentences. In general, people -even people in love- do not speak in flights that demand semicolons. But in this instance I have to admit that without the semicolon something would be lost. With a period, the four words sink at the end: SHE LOOKED at me. The semicolon keeps the words above water: because of that semicolon, something about her look is going to be significant."
Semicolon use may be on the decline in the United States, but it is not destined to become obsolete. The poll you took above was borrowed from Richard Nordquist who polled readers of this article. As of the writing of this newsletter, the results showing the semicolon IS worth saving are as follows:
Total Votes: 922
Yes. I use semicolons in my own writing: 748 / 81%
Yes, though I don't use semicolons: 41 / 4%
No. Though I still use semicolons, they'll soon be obsolete: 47 / 5%
No, I don't use semicolons: 70 / 7%
What's a semicolon? 15 / 1%
Question For Next Time: Do you use semicolons in your fiction? Why or why not? And, were you surprised by the poll results?
Thanks for reading!
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Question For Next Time: Do you use semicolons in your fiction? Why or why not? And, were you surprised by the poll results?
Last Month's Question: What's your television addiction? Tell me how your TV guilty pleasure impacts your ability to write stories. Here's what readers said:
very thankful  -- I love the show Here Comes Honey Boo. There's a girl in my novel who is very sassy and spunky named Ludia who reminds me of Alana AKA Honey Boo.
That show is sweeping the country!! I admit to seeing an episode or two...but when I watched the family play "Whose Breath Is It?" I had to turn it off. I mean, EWWWW! 
glo-stick -- My TV addictions are the reality game show Wipeout and The Big Bang Theory. Whenever I watch Wipeout, I automatically start thinking up what types of characters would want to go on an amazing fantasy obstacle course, and The Big Bang Theory is just great entertainment! 
We crack up when Wipe-Out is on at our house! I agree, it takes a certain personality to subject yourself to that sort of obstacle course. And the producers want each contestant to create a persona. Half the fun is laughing at the goofy "costumes" and names they come up with! As for The Big Bang Theory -- awesome!!
BIG BAD WOLF is Howling  -- Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Action/Adventuer, and creature horror.
Wait, what was the question...? 
Nixieš¦  -- Hi Nicki! Thanks for the NL. Is it weird if I tell you I don't watch much television? And if I do, it usually involves a foreign or indie movie.
I must be missing out on a wealth of plot themes. I scribbled down the show you mentioned. I don't have cable, but I do have Netflix and Hulu. I simply cannot watch regular TV because the commercials are too distracting.
Okay, bye for now.
~Nixie
I hate (most of the) commercials! But we have DVR, so even if a program airs in real-time, I let 10 or 15 minutes elapse while I switch the laundry or make snacks, then I rewind to the beginning of the show and start watching. That way, I can fast-forward through the commercials. 
StephBee  -- Great question! Sadly, I don't watch as much TV as I used to. I loved the HBO series, "Rome" and short story based on a scene that really moved me called "Atia's Rain," which you can find on WDC. Game of Thrones, help inspire me when it came to writing my novel, "The Green Rose." I definitely think a good movie or TV series, or a memorable character can inspire.
I totally agree! Inspiration is all around us, and if we zone out while watching the boob tube, we miss out on a great opportunity for story ideas. Thanks for sharing!
See you all back here on November 28, 2012. Until then, have a great month!
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Drama: October 31, 2012 Issue [#5337]
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