Semi-colons

• Use to join two independent clauses instead of a conjunction (but, and, or).
  Example: To look is not to see; to listen is not to hear.
• In clear writing, it is better to make two sentences.
  Example: To look is not to see. To listen is not to hear.

Quotation marks

• Use to indicate someone else’s words.
  Example: She said, “He reads really, really well.”
  The period falls INSIDE the quotation marks.
• Use to single out a particular word or phrase that is out of context, such as a casual expression.
  Example: That TV program is known for being “over the top”. In this case, the period is OUTSIDE the quotation marks.
• When you must use quotation marks within quotation marks, the inside quotation marks are single.
  Example: Maria said, “The word ‘heretofore’ is fine for legal documents but not in a letter written in clear language.”
• Use to indicate the title of a short story, play, or chapter of a book BUT the title of a book or film is put in italics or underlined.

References and Resources

• Baldwin, Ruth. Clear Writing and Literacy. Toronto: Ontario Literacy Coalition, 2000.
• Strunk, William and E.B. White. The Elements of Style. New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc., 1979.
• Human Resources Development Canada. Plain Language: Clear and Simple. Ottawa: Canadian Government Publishing, 1991.