Page 937 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing
P. 937
Colons and Dashes
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Use colons and dashes correctly.
Colons and dashes perform many of the same functions. However,
the colon is a formal punctuation mark that is right for any academic
writing, while the dash is an informal mark of punctuation that should
be used only in your least formal writing.
The Colon
The colon is used to introduce a list, a restatement, or a clarification.
The single most important thing to remember when you use a colon is
that a complete sentence always comes before the colon.
A colon is sometimes used to introduce a list. A complete sentence
must come before the colon.
Examples of a Colon to Introduce a List
