New
New
Year 6
Colons: second function
I can use the colon to introduce an explanation.
New
New
Year 6
Colons: second function
I can use the colon to introduce an explanation.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- A colon is a piece of punctuation with more than one purpose.
- A colon is always placed after a main clause.
- A colon can introduce an explanation of the noun preceding it.
- A colon can help to improve text cohesion.
Keywords
Colon - a piece of punctuation placed after a main clause that can introduce an explanation
Main clause - a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense
Text cohesion - how a text flows to maintain the interest of the reader and achieve text purpose
Common misconception
Pupils may give a consequence instead of an explanation after the colon.
Ask the question 'why?' about the part of the sentence before the colon - the answer should be an explanation not a consequence.
Throughout work on colons, emphasise that we always have what could be a complete sentence before the colon. Sometimes, this is just one main clause, but at other times, it could be a complex or compound sentence.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Starter quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which of the following could be used to introduce a list?
We saw many different animals, such as:
Q2.
Match the main clauses to the lists that could follow the colon.
French, Spanish and English.
Jun, Jacob, Alex and Aisha.
his watch, his keys and his phone.
Q3.
Which of these sentences is correctly punctuated?
We need to buy a few things, including: coffee, tea, milk and sugar.
We need to buy a few things: coffee, tea, milk, and sugar.
Q4.
Which of these could come before a question introduced by the colon?
I couldn't stop thinking about:
The question on my mind was:
Q5.
Which of these sentences is the correct version?
Walking through the forest, my skin was prickling, was someone else there?
Walking through the forest, my skin was prickling: Was someone else there?
Q6.
How do colons help to improve text cohesion?
They help us use fewer lists and questions.
Exit quiz
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6 Questions
Q1.
Which of the following can a colon be used for?
to follow an explanation
Q2.
Which sentence uses a colon to introduce a list correctly?
Aisha has several pets a dog: a cat and a gerbil.
Aisha has several pets including: a dog, a cat and a gerbil.
Q3.
Which sentence uses a colon correctly to introduce a question?
As she walked away: I sighed, would she ever return?
As she walked away, I sighed would: she ever return?
Q4.
Which of these sentences contain an explanation following the colon?
The dog jumped up: it barked loudly.
Miss O'Neill frowned: she sighed heavily to herself.
Q5.
Which of these explanation sentences is correctly punctuated?
When you go out: put on a coat, it's raining.
When you go out, put: on a coat, it's raining.
Q6.
Which of the following could complete the following sentence as an explanation? 'We all wanted to impress Miss O'Neill:'
we were all sitting up smartly.
we all checked our uniforms carefully.