Skip the Semicolon: Why Your Copy Is Better Off Without It

I have a confession: I’ve never used a semicolon—not once.

Sure, I use colons, commas, and parentheses all the time. But never semicolons.

I learned this early on from my first boss and mentor in the fundraising business, Rick Dunham—a man whose copy is as clean as his desk.

Rick didn’t lecture. He coached. He showed me how clarity and simplicity always trump complexity, and he guided my copy toward em dashes and ellipses instead of the dreaded semicolon.

Decades later, Rick’s influence lives on. My copywriting remains proudly semicolon-free, and yours can (and should) too.

The curious case of the semicolon

The semicolon first appeared in print nearly 500 years ago. Writers and grammarians loved it, and soon everyone else followed suit.

But here’s the thing—semicolons belong in English class essays, not marketing and fundraising copy.

I get it. Semicolons look sophisticated. They promise complexity and nuance. But your donors don’t want complexity. They want connection. They want to understand quickly.

Why force readers through mental gymnastics when a simple, direct sentence does the job better?

Think about the greatest campaigns you’ve admired. Nike never said, “Just do it; because now is the ideal time.” Apple didn’t tell you, “Think different; it’s probably better than the alternative.”

Clear beats clever—every time.

The em dash and ellipsis: A love story

I’ve never met an em dash I didn’t like. And ellipses? Well… let’s just say we go way back.

Unlike semicolons, em dashes aren’t stuffy. They don’t pretend to have all the answers. Instead, they’re conversational. They invite readers in with a casual pause and a natural breath.

And ellipses? They’re irresistible. They keep readers curious, gently encouraging them forward... always leaving room for a bit more.

Rick taught me to break rules of grammar and punctuation intentionally—not to be a rebel (though there’s some fun in that), but because conversational writing connects.

Em dashes and ellipses help create the rhythm of real conversation. They make your writing human, authentic, and relatable.

That’s why I’ll always choose em dashes and ellipses over semicolons.

Because connection matters more than correctness, and readability beats rigidity every single time.

Clarity beats complexity

People are busy—busier than ever. Your audience is scrolling, scanning, and skimming. Every second matters.

When readers encounter a semicolon, it interrupts their rhythm. It might not confuse them, but it definitely slows them down.

Great marketing doesn’t just communicate—it connects. Connection requires clarity, simplicity, and ease of reading.

Your copy isn’t stronger because it’s grammatically sophisticated. It’s stronger when it’s clear and easy to consume.

Respect your reader’s attention. Make every word—and every punctuation mark—count.

Confidence is your greatest tool

Here’s something Rick drilled into me from day one:

Clarity is confidence.

When you write clearly and directly, your reader believes you. Short, powerful sentences convey certainty. They demonstrate authority and trustworthiness without relying on formal punctuation.

Think of the best speakers you’ve ever heard. Their words hit home not because they used complex grammar, but because their messages were sharp and direct.

Your audience can sense hesitation or overthinking in your writing—those awkward pauses, that overly complicated structure. It all quietly chips away at trust.

But clear, conversational writing removes all doubt. It conveys one crucial message:

“I know what I’m talking about, and I believe in it. So should you.”

That’s confidence.

And confident copy—copy that moves people to act—is punctuation-light and impact-heavy.

Overcoming the fear of simplicity

“But won’t simplifying my writing make me look less professional?”

I get it. No one wants to sound like an amateur. But simplicity isn’t about being simplistic. It’s about being understood. It’s about connecting authentically with your audience.

Complexity isn’t confidence. Often, it’s insecurity hiding behind grammar rules and fancy punctuation.

When Rick challenged me to write conversationally, it felt strange at first. What would my 7th-grade English teacher think?!

But soon, that simple, straightforward style opened doors. People responded—not because the copy was easy to write, but because it was easy to read.

Simplicity takes courage. But once you embrace it, you’ll never look back.

One final thought: It’s about more than punctuation

Here’s a secret: Avoiding semicolons isn’t really about punctuation at all. It’s about knowing who you are and trusting your voice.

Behind almost every writer confident enough to break the rules is usually a mentor who pushed them to do it.

For me, that mentor was Rick Dunham.

Rick didn't just teach me how to write better copy—he demanded perfection, clarity, and intentionality in every word. He invested years helping me see the power of simplicity and authentic conversation.

Rick knew exactly what worked, and because of him, so do I.

So here’s to Rick, and every mentor like him, who pushes us to find our voice and write with conviction.

And to semicolons everywhere? Thanks, but no thanks. I’m doing just fine without you.