The semicolon ;
 |
Use it to join two independent clauses (IC; IC.)
We were hot and tired; we had been outside all day. |
| Use it before a conjunctive adverb that is joining two independent clauses
(IC; ca IC). We had been outside all day; therefore we were hot and tired. |
| To separate items in a series already containing commas: We sat on the cold, wet sand; played in the rough, rolling surf; and slept on our warm, dry towels. |
The colon :
| Use to introduce a list, but not with words like “such as” or “including.” I was happy to see my grades: two As and a B. |
The dash –
| Use it to add or set off information. We were glad the teacher—usually crabby—was in a good mood for grading. |