SECRETS of Good Writing

Pl ‑ a: Place a comma before a coordinating conjunction joining main clauses. The seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so fanboys (main clause) (main clause) Topic comment, and topic comment ====== ---- ‑ =====

EXAMPLES The election to office is over, but the quest ==== for good opinion is not ==== Nursing is physically and mentally demanding, yet the pay is low.

P2 ‑ a: Do not use a comma between compound elements that are not main clauses. word and word phrase and phrase subordinate clause and subordinate clause

EXAMPLES Most of us feel excluded and confused by medical jargon. Doctors speak of a patient's pain and problems in words that the patient doesn't understand. I discovered that I'd finally cracked the code and that I could use it myself.

P1 ‑ c: Place commas between elements in a series. ___________, ____________, ___________, and _________ Series must be grammatically parallel — See rule S1 ‑ a Remember the World Series.

EXAMPLES Computers are classified by their size, speed, and cost. --- ‑ ‑ --- ‑ Four of his former clients had either been gassed, electrocuted, or lethally injected. Mary saw a meadowlark on Tuesday, a loon on Thursday, and a nuthatch on Friday.

Rules P1 ‑ b and P1 ‑ e are related. Remember the secret of good writing? Where can we add to a main clause? [ before ] TOPIC [ between ] COMMENT [ after ].

EXAMPLES P1-b P1-e P1-e introductory interrupting tagged-on introductory element Even though he didn't study, David passed the test. interrupting element David, who didn't study at all, passed the test. tagged-on element David passed the test, even though he didn't study.

Pl ‑ b: Place a comma after an introductory element. Introductory element, topic comment ‑ ===== EXAMPLES: Grown in California and Oregon, nectarines resemble peaches without fuzz. To pay his political and financial debts, Charles II had relinquished royal control over vast areas of his domain. If the fool would persist in his folly, he would become wise.

subordinate conjunctions when, if, because, although, while, unless... [see p. 315] If a sentence starts with a subordinate conjunction, it will be a complex sentence requiring Rule P1 ‑ b.

P1 ‑ e: Use commas to set off nonessential elements, whether interrupting or tagged on. INTERRUPTIONS (like this one) ARE PARENTHETICAL. EXAMPLES: Columbus was not the first European to discover America. Columbus (according to some historians) was not the first European to discover America.   Columbus, according to some historians, was not the first European to discover America.

(an appositive) Dr. Jeremiah Floyd, associate director of the National School Boards Association, predicts that most schools will be on a year-round calendar by the year 2001.

DON'T SET OFF ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS (P2 ‑ e) essential = restrictive EXAMPLE: People who are color blind see the world as if it were a black and white movie.

P1 ‑ e:... whether interrupting or TAGGED-ON. TOPIC COMMENT, tagged-on element. EXAMPLES: Seeing or hearing take place in the brain, not in the eye or ear. Talking about the way others dress can be rude, even cruel. Our eyes take in groups of words, usually three at a time.

Conjunctive adverbs and transitional phrases are usually nonessential and should be set off according to Rules P1 ‑ b or P1 ‑ e. See list on p. 315: consequently, furthermore, however, nevertheless, therefore, for example, on the other hand, in addition

EXAMPLES It is rare and, indeed, very exciting to see an Indian person in a commercial advertisement. Of course, the thesis must develop from and be supported by the evidence of the analysis. Synonyms can convey the range of a word's meanings. For example, a writer could equate misery with wretchedness and distress.

P7 ‑ d: Use dashes to set off interruptions or tagged ‑ on elements that contain commas. EXAMPLES: The connotations of words ‑‑ the associations called up in readers' minds by words like home, ambitious, and generous ‑‑ can contribute to your definition as well. It showed Indians as we live today ‑‑ enjoying pizza as one of our favorite foods, including humor and fun as part of our daily lives, and recognizing the importance of preserving traditional knowledge.

P4 ‑ a and P3 ‑ d: Substitution of colon and semicolons for clarity. EXAMPLE: These are the main exports: metals, primarily iron, copper, and tin; grains, primarily wheat; and cotton.