P UNCTUATION ! 8 th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Zipperer

S TANDARD L a. Use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break.

Punctuation makes all the difference!!

Let’s eat, grandma! OR Let’s eat grandma!

“Stop clubbing baby seals” Or

G ENERAL C OMMA R ULES Use a comma to separate the elements in a series (three or more things) Example: “He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to first base.” Use a comma + a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so) to connect two independent clauses Example: "He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base." Use a comma to set off introductory elements, as in Example : " Running toward third base, he suddenly realized how stupid he looked.“ “However, he was not surprised at his mistake” Use a comma to set off appositives Example: "The Founders Bridge, which spans the Connecticut River, is falling down.

C OMMA P RACTICE The game was over but the crowd refused to leave. While I was eating the cat scratched at the door. Having finished the test he left the room. Well perhaps he meant no harm. I appreciate your hard work. However you seem to have over-exerted yourself. That Tuesday which happens to be my birthday is the only day when I am available to meet. The Constitution establishes the legislative executive and judicial branches of government. Comma + conjunction The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave. Introductory Element While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door. Introductory Element Having finished the test, he left the room. Introductory Element Well, perhaps he meant no harm. Introductory Element I appreciate your hard work. However, you seem to have over- exerted yourself. Appositive That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only day when I am available to meet. Elements in a series The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

C OMMA S PLICES Comma splices are similar to run-on sentences because they also incorrectly connect independent clauses. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are connected with only a comma.

C OMMA S PLICE E XAMPLES Comma Splice : My family bakes together nearly every night, we then get to enjoy everything we make together. Correction 1: My family bakes together nearly every night. We then get to enjoy everything we make together. Correction 2 : My family bakes together nearly every night, and we then get to enjoy everything we make together. Correction 3 : After my family bakes together nearly every night, we get to enjoy everything we make together.

S UGGEST A R EVISION FOR THE C OMMA S PLICE I didn’t like the movie, it was way too long. I didn’t like the movie. It was way too long. I didn’t like the movie, because it was way too long. She and Jerry are getting married in the fall, they didn’t want a summer wedding. She and Jerry are getting married in the fall. They didn’t want a summer wedding. Since they didn’t want a summer wedding, she and Jerry are getting married in the fall. My favorite bands are all really loud, playing loud music is good for stress relief. My favorite bands are really loud. Playing loud music is good for stress relief. My favorite bands are really loud, since playing loud music is good for stress relief.