The colon, in Unicode , is a punctuation mark consisting of two equally sized dots centered on the same vertical line. Punctuation: colon Usage A colon informs the reader that what follows the mark proves, explains, or lists elements of what preceded the mark. The Bedford Handbook describes several uses of a colon. For example, one can use a colon after an independent clause to direct attention to a list, an appositive, or a quotation. Also, it can be used between independent clauses if the second summarizes or explains the first. Furthermore, one may use a colon after the salutation ...