1. …and they have nothing to do with a NATURAL PAUSE!!!!

2.  Writers use punctuation (commas, periods, question marks, etc.) to clarify meaning of their sentences.  A comma (,), for example, indicates a pause that is shorter than the pause at the end of a sentence.  Even though the comma indicates a pause in a sentence, it is not NATURAL!  It is RULE DRIVEN!

3. Commas are properly used to:  Set off introductory words, phrases, and clauses. EXAMPLES: ◦ First, we must save money. ◦ By working very hard, we finished the job. ◦ If what we hear is true, the concert will be canceled.

4. Commas are properly used to:  Separate words, phrases, and clauses in a series. EXAMPLES: ◦ Did you buy apples, bananas, and oranges? ◦ She raced into the house, ran upstairs, and took a fast shower. ◦ I came, I saw, I conquered.

5. Commas are properly used to:  Separate the individual items in dates and addresses. EXAMPLES: ◦ Lou graduated on June 10, 2002, from North Stafford High School. ◦ The Smiths live at 21 Park Street, Mountain View, California.

6. The comma is also used to:  Separate two or more coordinate adjectives before a noun. EXAMPLES: ◦ A long, sleek, black limousine ◦ A skinny, dirty, lost dog

7. The comma is also used to:  Set off interrupting words or phrases from the rest of the sentence. EXAMPLES: ◦ Mrs. Green, carrying a bouquet of roses, greeted her mother at the airport. ◦ Michael Jordan, a great athlete, played basketball for the Chicago Bulls.

8. The comma is also used to:  Set off the designation of the speaker in direct quotations. EXAMPLES: ◦ “Be sure,” he advised, “to come home early.” ◦ Virginia cried, “You can’t make me do it!”