Semicolon Streetlight (Yellow) SV;_____, SV.

Pattern # 1 in Ann Longknife and K.D. Sullivan's Art of Styling Sentences

Pages: beginning of book to page 11.

A sentence, if you will, is a road, a road comprised of a clear subject and a ‘fighting verb.’ For review, much of your writing can be enhanced if you can pick the strongest subject and pair it with the strongest verb.

SV. SV. SV. is akin to a thumping bass-line at a Paul Brandon rave at Pipeline; nonetheless, it possesses none of the flow and nuances that the semicolon allows. After all, the period serves as a “red light,” telling the reader to STOP.

The yellow light of the semicolon announces to the reader that you have two related sentences and that you are willing to cross the intersection to increase flow and subtlety.

On that note, remember that the two paired sentences need to make sense together. You cannot have the following illogical construction:

“I enjoy shopping at Hot Topic Ala Moana; Bill Clinton engaged in an illicit affair with Monica Lewinsky. “
(The two roads of the sentence above create a non sequitur, because there is no established relationship between the two sentences).

"Playing on my Nintendo Wii one afternoon, the phone rang; the treaty of Ghent was signed in 1814." (also non sensible)

The power of the semicolon is that it allows us to construct flowing sentences, often with a modifying phrase:


SV; ______, SV.

Whatever goes into that blank can be as descriptive and flavorful as you want—as long as that material does not become a complete sentence.

Andy’s toupee (S) flew off (V) his bald head; fluttering, flying, careening into the sky like a wounded bird, the toupee (S) sailed off (V) into the distance. (notice a previous pattern?)

versus

Andy’s toupee flew off his head. It sailed off into the distance. (less descriptive, less flavorful)

Later in this course, and higher-level English courses, the

SV; _____, SV construction can help us with complex thesis statements that build upon ALL previous patterns.

Nestled within a relatively nondescript area near Ala Moana, Ichiriki nabe restaurant (S) conveys (V) a warm sense of comfort; as the first shoyu-laced drops of nabe hit one’s gullet, instant gratification (S) occurs (V).

versus

Ichiriki is a comfortable restaurant where I like to eat. It is a delicious place for Japanese food.

or

Despite the Hawaii State Superferry's perceived environmental impacts, the Hawaii State Government should continue to do its utmost to support the ferry; after all, the ferry offers a viable means of alternative transportation for interisland visitors.

versus

The Superferry's a good idea; the government should keep on supporting it.