PATTERN 3: COMPOUND SENTENCE WITH EXPLANATORY STATEMENT (clauses separated by a colon) General statement (idea): specific statement (example) . (an independent clause) (an independent clause)
EXPLANATION:
This pattern is exactly like PATTERNS 1 and 2 in structure: it is a compound; but it is very different in content, as the colon implies. A colon in a compound sentence performs a special function: it signals to the reader that something important or explanatory will follow (as this very sentence illustrates). In this particular pattern, the colon signals that the second clause will specifically explain or expand some idea expressed only vaguely in the first clause. The first statement will contain a word or an idea that needs explaining; the second statement will give some specific information or example about that idea.
but this capitalization is a matter of personal taste and styling. A lizard never worries about losing its tail: it can always grow another. "Not all basketball players use the same technique in shooting free throws: some of them shoot the ball from over their heads and others use the 'granny' shot, which they shoot from the waist and project upwards." —Jimmy Salem "Weekdays are very similar to identical suitcases: they are all the same size, but some people can pack more into them than others." — Joel Gutierrez No one, however, would deny that George Patton did what generals were primarily expected to do: he won battles. Little Red Riding Hood lied: wolves don't eat grandmothers; they eat elk, bison, and deer.
PROFESSIONAL EXAMPLES:
"Topographically, the North and South Islands [of New Zealand] are quite different: They are separate microcontinents in collision, the more temperate North molded by volcanic fires; the cooler South by ice." —C. D. B. Bryan, European Travel and Life, June/July 1990 "Sociologists continue to be vexed by the pathology of urban violence: Why is it so random, so fierce, so easily triggered?"—Edward Ayers "Look closely around your garden: you may find one of the hummingbirds' egg-cup nests—often in some precarious, fairly public spot like the top of a ripening orange or woven into foliage at the end of a redwood branch." —Jim McCausland, Sunset Magazine "The regadores know, by consulting a list, where water should be flowing at any particular time: if their list says a certain field must get half an hour of water, they make sure that it gets half an hour, no more, no less." —Nick Inman and Clara Villanueva. Lookout. April 1992
When to use this pattern A whole clause receives special emphasis in this sentence. You will use it when you want the second part of a sentence to explain the first part, give an example, or provide an answer to an implied question. As you study the following examples, notice that the first independent statement mentions something in an unspecified way: "a harsh truth," "a single horrifying meaning." Then the independent statement after the colon answers your questions: "What harsh truth?" "Which horrifying meaning?" In short, the second clause makes the first one clear. EXAMPLES: Darwin's Origin of Species forcibly states a harsh truth: only the fittest survive. The empty coffin in the center of the crypt had a single horrifying meaning: Dracula had left his tomb to stalk the village streets in search of fresh blood. Remember what the old saying prudently advises: Be careful what you wish for because you may actually get it.
NOTE: Some
writers capitalize the first word after the colon in this pattern,
CHECKPOINTS;
Now that you have learned all three of the compound constructions, notice the differences among them. PATTERNS 1, 2, and 3 are NOT simply three different ways to punctuate the same sentence. The • words must perform different functions; the sentences must do different things: PATTERN 1 must make two closely related statements about the same idea, statements you do not want to punctuate as two separate sentences; PATTERN 2 must have a specific word or words from the first clause implied in the second—otherwise no ellipsis is possible; PATTERN 3 must have a second independent clause that in some way amplifies or explains the idea stated in the first independent clause. Do not use this pattern with a colon unless the second statement is related to the first. Remember the test for every compound sentence: both clauses must be full statements and capable of standing alone as sentences. Complete each of the following sentences with an independent clause that (1) answers an implied question, (2) provides an example, or (3) gives further explanation: 1._________________________________________________________ all the graduates cheered as President Arneson conferred their degrees.
4. The new world champion body builder told the reporters that she had to leave:________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ 5. ____________________________________________________________ : we toured the National Air and Space Museum, The Smithsonian Castle, the Freer Gallery, and the new wing of the National Gallery of Art.
2. The products of Japan represent a genuine threat to many American industries_____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________.
3. At least I know one way not to clean out a radiator: ______________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________.