The Serial Comma Did You Make the List?

Introduction  Commas can separate items or actions written in a series.  Lists consist of three or more items or actions.  Two items or actions are a pair, not a list, and do not require commas.  A comma separating the last item in a series may be omitted if and or or stand in and separate the last item. It’s an issue of style.

Parallelism  When we look at actions in a series, we have another opportunity to look at agreement, tense, and parallelism.  Parallelism is about making things match.  If I write a list of actions, each verb should be in the same tense. He read a book, wrote an essay, and cleaned the garage.

Parallelism  This polishing point makes a list balanced and clear.  Working on parallelism can force us to rework our sentences, which is usually a good thing.

Serial Commas  Serial commas help combine sentences and expand ideas by using sensory detail – specific nouns or vivid verbs.  His room smelled of cooked grease, Lysol, and age. - Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

Invitation to Imitate  _______smells of _______, _______, ( Place ) (list of at least three things) and __________. Use this graphic to imitate the underlying pattern. We can use a structure to shape our own ideas.

More Invitations to Notice and Imitate  Her cleats, shin pads, and sweats were in her backpack, slung over her shoulder and heavy with homework.  I walked back to my room wet and dried myself with a pair of jeans. I put on long underwear, pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes, and my parka. I stood in front of the heater.  Then I heard a scrape, a thud, and a yelp.

Invitation to Combine  I have hair the color of carrots in an apricot glaze.  My skin is fair and clear where it isn’t freckled.  My eyes are like summer storms. Combine these three sentences using commas.

Original Combined Sentence  I have hair the color of carrots in an apricot glaze, skin fair and clear where it isn’t freckled, and eyes like summer storms. - Polly Horvath, Everything on a Waffle

Uncovering How Writers Communicate With Readers  His room smelled of cooked grease, Lysol, and age.  His room smelled.  His room smelled of cooked grease, lysol, and age.  His room smell of cooked grease, Lysol, and age.  His room smelled off cooked grease, Lysol, and age.