1. Lesson 5: Punctuation

2. Commas Rule 1: Use commas to set off introductory clauses or phrases. Before preparing for the ACT, Joseph talked to his adviser

3. Commas Rule 2: Use a Comma before a conjunction that begins an independent clause. I was in school on time, but I was late for homeroom.

4. Commas Rule 3: Use commas to set off parenthetical expressions (does not provide essential information and interrupts the flow of a sentence. My brother, who loves soccer, wants to be a teacher.

5. Commas Use a comma to separate items in a series The plane entered a long, slow spiral. Maria liked her eggs scrambled, her toast buttered, and her coffee black.

6. Semicolons Use a semicolon to connect independent clauses when the clauses are not connected by a conjunction. The dectective took a DNA sample; it will be processed by the lab. Some people like chocolate; others do not.

7. Colons Use a colon after an independent clause to introduce a list or illustration. Bring these items to class: a pen, a pencil, and your brain. You should bring: a packed lunch, sunscreen, and a towel.