SAT Grammar Rules: Colons, Semicolons, Commas, and Dashes

Introduction

• Focus on SAT grammar rules for the digital SAT.
• Part one covers colons, semicolons, commas, and dashes.

Colons

• Use: Introduce lists or explanations.
• Example: "I only ask for three things in a friendship: loyalty, humor, and maturity."

Semicolons

• Use: Connect related ideas (think of it as matchmaking).
• Example: "Meet Analie; she’s passionate about content creation and has a heart full of compassion."

Distinction Between Colons and Semicolons

• Colons: Point to what comes next (introduce).
• Semicolons: Link two thoughts (connect).

Application on the Digital SAT

• Colons and semicolons appear in punctuation questions related to the conventions of Standard English.
• Example Question: "On their strange American foods tour, Ida and Jeff discovered three of the country’s oddest and most delicious desserts: deep-fried Coke, bacon donuts, and chirpumple (three pies inside a cake)."

Commas

• Use: Indicate pauses, separate items in a list, clarify relationships within a sentence.
• Example: "I live in two worlds: one is a world of books."

Dashes

• Use: Create emphasis or indicate a sudden change in thought (drama).
• Example: "I am not afraid of commitment—I’m afraid of settling."

Summary of Commas vs. Dashes

• Commas: Provide clarity and organization.
• Dashes: Emphasize information and add drama.

Conclusion

• Both commas and dashes appear on punctuation questions in the SAT.
• Example Review: A question involving a list would require commas.
• Encouragement to check out the study cave Discord Community for additional help.
• Mention of a new Discord Community server in development.

Final Notes

• Request for feedback and topic suggestions for future videos.