News Writing Part 19

4. The Semicolon

=43. Compound Sentences.=--A semicolon is used in compound sentences to separate independent clauses that have no connective between. The semicolon in such constructions, however, is fast disappearing from newspaper columns. Complex constructions are avoided. Usage favors making a separate sentence of the second clause.

=Right.=--Brown came first; Johnson followed five seconds later, with Jones third.

=Permissible.=--The murder was committed sometime before 12:00 o'clock; at 8:00 this morning the murderer was in jail.

=Better.=--The murder was committed sometime before 12:00 o'clock. At 8:00 this morning the murderer was in jail.

=44. Lists.=--In lists of dead, injured, guests, etc., where the name of the town from which the persons come or the place of residence is given, separate the different names by semicolons.

=Right.=--Among those present were: Allen Rogers of Las Vegas, N. M.; Orren Thomas of Benton, Mo.; Mr.

and Mrs. Henry Barnes of Sioux City, Ia.

=45. Athletic Results.=--In football, baseball, and similar athletic results, use a semicolon to separate the names of the teams and their scores: as, _Cornell, 21_; _Syracuse, 14_.

=46. Instead of Commas.=--A semicolon may be used instead of a comma when a clause or sentence is so broken up by commas as to need some other mark of punctuation to keep the larger phrase- and clause-relations clear.

5. The Comma

=47. Parenthetic Expressions.=--Parenthetic words, phrases, and clauses, whether used at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, are set off by commas when they cause a marked interruption between grammatically connected parts of the sentence. If in doubt about the need of a comma, omit it.

=Right.=--He, like many others, believes firmly in the rightness of the new movement.

=48. Words in Apposition.=--A word in apposition with another word and meaning the same thing should be set off by commas.

=Right.=--Henry Owen, lineman for the local telegraph company, was the only witness of the accident.

=49. With "namely," "that is," etc.=--A comma is placed before _and_, _namely_, _viz._, _that is_, _i.e._, _as_, _to wit_, etc., when introducing an example, an ill.u.s.tration, or an explanation.

=50. Contrasted Words and Phrases.=--Set off contrasted words and phrases with commas.

=Right.=--Hard work, not genius, was what enabled him to succeed.

=Right.=--The faster they work, the better they are paid.

=51. Introductory Words and Phrases.=--Introductory words, phrases, and clauses at the beginning of a sentence, when they modify the whole sentence and serve as a connective, are set off by commas.

=Right.=--Yes, he had even tried to bribe the officer.

=Right.=--On the other hand, the prisoner had taken her for a member of the gang.

=52. In Direct Address.=--Words used in direct address are set off by commas.

=Right.=--Mark this, gentlemen of the jury, in his list of forgeries.

=53. Explanatory Dates and Names.=--A date explaining a previous date or a geographical name explaining a previous name is set off by commas.

=Right.=--On April 2, 1916, she was arrested at Chicago, Ill.

=54. Phrases Indicating Residence, Position, or t.i.tle.=--Omit the comma before _of_ in phrases indicating residence, position, or t.i.tle.

=Right.=--Among the out-of-town guests were Miss Helen Hahn of Gainesville, Mrs. Henry Bushman of Athens, and Orren Cramer of Atlanta.

=Right.=--Dwight O. Conklin of the Bessemer Smelting Company was the chief speaker.

=55. Academic and Honorary t.i.tles.=--Academic and honorary t.i.tles are set off from proper names and from each other by commas: as, _President O. N. Fowler, Ph.D., LL.D._

=56. Names Followed by Initials.=--Baptismal names or initials following a surname are set off by commas: as, _Arendale, Charles V._

=57. Words, Phrases, and Clauses in a Series.=--The members of a series of two or more words, phrases, or clauses standing in the same relation and not connected by conjunctions, are separated by commas. When the series consists of three or more members and a conjunction is used to connect only the last two, the comma may or may not be put before the conjunction. Better usage, however, favors the inclusion of the comma.

=Right.=--The teller was kicked, beaten, and robbed by four masked men.

=58. After Interjections.=--Interjections that are but slightly exclamatory are followed by commas.

The following distinctions in the use of the interjections _O_ and _oh_ may be noted: _oh_ generally takes a comma after it, _O_ never; except at the beginning of a sentence, _oh_ is written with a small letter, _O_ always with a capital; and _oh_ is used always by itself, while _O_ properly comes only in direct address: as, _O Lord of life_.

=Right.=--Ah, the happy days and the happy city!

=Right.=--Oh, but the way the boys splashed!

=59. Short Quotations and Maxims.=--Set off short informal quotations and maxims with commas.

=Right.=--He was last heard to say, "If I don't return in time, call up the office."

=60. In Large Numbers.=--Use commas to separate large numbers into groups of three figures each: as, $2,518,675. Omit the comma, however, in dates and in street, telephone, and automobile numbers.

=61. Athletic Scores.=--In football, baseball, and similar records, place a comma between the name of the team and its score: as, _New Orleans, 7_; _Memphis, 4_.

=62. Biblical Pa.s.sages.=--Place a comma between chapter and verse in citations of biblical pa.s.sages: as, _John 2, 15_.

=63. Resolutions for Debate.=--In resolutions for debate, put a comma after _Resolved_.

=Right.=--_Resolved_, That women should be given the right of suffrage.

=64. General Usage.=--In general, use a comma to mark any distinct pause not indicated by other marks of punctuation, and to make clear any word, phrase, or clause that may be obscure without a comma. But do not use commas except when they are a distinct necessity. Omit them except when they are needful for emphasis or for the clearness of the sentence.

6. The Dash

=65. Sudden Break in Thought.=--Use a dash to mark a sudden suspension of the thought or a violent break in the construction of the sentence.

=Right.=--"You mean to say--Just what are you talking about?" he questioned awkwardly.

=66. Date Lines.=--In stories written under a date line place a dash between the date or the _Special_ and the beginning of the story. Thus:

Sylvester, Ga., Jan. 21.--Five negroes were taken from the county jail and lynched at an early hour this morning.

=67. After "namely," "viz.," etc.=--Place a dash after _namely_, _as_, _that is_, _viz._, etc., when introducing an example or an ill.u.s.tration.