Colon

The colon is used chiefly to introduce a list, quotation, or explanation following an independent clause (complete sentence).

1. Use a colon at the end of a complete statement to introduce a list.
   Example: I have a few favorite classes at LLCC: literature, psychology, and art.
2. Use a colon at the end of a complete statement to introduce a summary, restatement, or explanation of the ideas presented in the preceding independent clause.
   Example: Sara studied hard for one purpose: to succeed in her college courses.
3. Use a colon at the end of a complete statement to introduce a  long, formal quotation.
   Example: In his book Life Lines, Forrest Church maintain that people should cry more: " Life is difficult. Some people pretend that it is not, that we should be able to breeze through. Yet hardly a week passes in which most of us don't have something worth crying about."
4. Use a colon at the end of a complete statement to introduce a question.
   Example: The primary question is this: Should we give up or keep working diligently toward our goal?
5. Use a colon to separate a title from its subtitle.
   Example: Korea: A Country Divided
6. Use a colon after the salutation in a formal letter.
   Example: To whom it may concern:
7. Use a colon to separate the hours and minutes when indicating time.
   Example: 10:45

Semicolon

The semicolon indicates a stronger division than the comma. It's main use is to join two or more independent clauses (complete sentences), but it is also used in some cases to separate items in a list.

1. Use a semicolon to join independent clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, so, for, yet, nor, or).
   Example: Some students do more than attend college; they have families and jobs that compete for their time as well.
2. Use a semicolon to join independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, etc.).
   Example: I needed more time to study for my classes; therefore, I cut back on the hours I worked each week.
3. Use a semicolon to join independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction if one or both independent clauses contain distracting commas.
   Example: The Center for Academic Success offers peer tutoring for almost every subject; but if you need help with your writing, you should visit the Writing Center, conveniently located in the CAS.
4. Use a semicolon to separate list items when the individual items in the series contain commas.
   Example: Jeff lived in Springfield, IL; Seattle, WA; and Orlando, FL.