TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Colon, semicolon, comma, or period? From:Dan 'Fergus' Roberts <droberts -at- PANIX -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 26 Jul 1995 06:03:17 -0400
: A colon would signal that the following clause will emphasize or
: clarify the idea presented prior to the colon.
I disagree. A colon generally introduces a list enumerated in the sentence.
If I had my grammar books unpacked, I'd use correct terminology, ...but...
the 2nd 'product' phrase is a renaming or restatement of the 1st 'product'
phrase. Therefore, correct punctuation would indicate that the 2 phrases are
of equal weight.
The sentence in question has the same construction as:
This is Bill, my co-worker.
Since 'coworker' is a restatement and clarification of 'Bill, it needs to be
indicated as such. A comma, or dash for stronger emphasis, will do the
trick. Other marks will not.
--
-----
Dan 'Fergus' Roberts
droberts -at- panix -dot- com
-----
