Semicolons

Semicolons as marks of punctuation in a sentence function in the SAME WAY as periods, that is, to end a complete sentence.  Semicolons can also be used in lists, but that is fairly uncommon.  Unlike commas, semicolons have very clear and simple rules.  In terms of when to use a semicolon and when to use a period, semicolons are used to separate sentences that very closely relate to one another.  Every sentence relates to the one next to it.  However, use semicolons to separate sentences, i.e., thoughts, that you want your readers to understand together.   Here are some examples:  https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/607/04/  You will find many better examples in various texts that we read over the semester.