Module 3
Correspondence Mechanics

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Punctuation Introducing a Series or List

The rules of punctuation are the same either within a sentence or at the beginning of a displayed list: Use a colon if the introductory material is a complete sentence or if it uses the words the following or as follows; otherwise, do not. The patterns look like this:

The introduction is a complete sentence: item, item, and item.
The mission learned three key things: A, B, and C.
The pattern is as follows: item, item, and item.

Mr. Smith addressed the following issues: W, X, Y, and Z.

Note: Never use a colon to separate the subject from the verb or the verb from its object or complement.

Introduction without “as follows/the following” or without complete sentence

Incorrect—separating subject from verb:

After the meeting, Ms. Kim: outlined the strategy, named the committees, and established the deadlines.

Correct—no colon:

After the meeting, Ms. Kim outlined the strategy, named the committees, and established the deadlines.

Incorrect—separating verb from complement:

The tasks of the mission were: A, B, and C.

Correct—no colon:

The tasks of the mission were A, B, and C.