CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.2a
The Standard
Use a semicolon (and perhaps a conjunctive adverb) to link two or more closely related independent clauses.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
What This Standard Means
Students need to join two complete, related thoughts with a semicolon. They also need to use words like however, therefore, meanwhile, and moreover when the relationship between the ideas needs to be clearer. They should know the difference between a semicolon and a comma.
Mastery looks like clean sentences with two independent clauses on each side, correct punctuation around conjunctive adverbs, and no comma splices. Students often get stuck by using a semicolon with a fragment, forgetting the comma after however or therefore, or using semicolons just to make writing sound fancy.
Ways to Teach It
- Give students sentence strips with independent clauses and conjunctive adverbs, then have them build correct semicolon sentences on their desks.
- Ask students to revise two choppy sentences from their draft into one semicolon sentence and explain why the ideas belong together.
- Show five sentences and have students mark each as correct, comma splice, or fragment after semicolon.
- Bring in a sports recap or news blurb, then have students combine related facts using semicolons and conjunctive adverbs.
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.2a
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.2c
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.2c
Use linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and, more, but) to connect ideas within categories of information.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.1g
Use frequently occurring conjunctions (e.g., and, but, or, so, because).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.1h
Use coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.