1. Conquering the Comma

2. What Is a Comma? A comma is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause is needed in a sentence. Commas help to clarify meaning for the reader.

3. Rule 1 Use commas to separate 3 or more items in a series (words, phrases, and clauses). Words- The engine rattled, coughed, and stalled. The baby was happy, alert, playful, and active. Aliyah, Ananda, and Cordarisia play basketball.

4. Clause: contain a subject and verb. If they form complete thoughts, we call them independent clauses. If they form incomplete thoughts, we call them dependent or subordinate clauses. Phrase: are word clusters lacking subject and verb combinations. Added slide Clauses and Phrases (Review)

5. Phrases- There were fingerprints at the top, on the sides, and on the bottom. Cut into pieces, aged for a year, and well dried, the wood was ready to burn. To pitch in a World Series game, to practice medicine, and to run for mayor are all things I hope to do someday. Added slide

6. Clauses- Ex: We sang, we danced, and we played trivia games. Ex: I knew that we were late, that the ice cream was melting, and that the car was nearly out of gas.

7. Rule 2 Sentence Structure: Compound Sentence A sentence that contains two simple sentences joined by a conjunction is called a compound sentence. Rule 2 Use a comma and a conjunction to join a compound sentence. Conjunctions  for  and  nor  but  or  yet  so FAN BOYS

8. The students ran to the moon and took a bite out of the sun. The students ran to the moon and they took a bite out of the sun. Many students read the Novel Jane Eyre and enjoy it. Charlotte’s mother and sisters died early. Russell handed him a magazine and Uncle Allen paid Russell a nickel. He stood on the corner and waited for customers.

9. Rule 3 Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives that come before a noun. A white dwarf is a tiny, dense star. Venus Williams played a powerful, brilliant game. To determine whether a comma is needed between two adjectives, insert and between the adjectives. If it sounds awkward then don’t use the comma. Ex: The unshaded electric lamp was electric blue. Remember::: Do not place a comma between an adjective and the noun immediately following it. Ex: A huge horned owl lives in those woods.

10. Use commas after certain introductory elements. Rule 4 use a comma after yes, no or any mild exclamation such as well or why at the beginning of a sentence. Ex: Yes, you may borrow a pencil. Ex: Why, It’s Elijah!

11. Rule 5 Use a comma to set off names used in direct address. Lisa, close the door! Anna, are you going to the store? Purdue University Writing Lab

12. Rule 6 use a comma after two or more introductory prepositional phrases. Ex: At the bottom of the hill, you will see the baseball field. Ex: Until the end of the song, just keep strumming the chord. **Use a comma after a single introductory prepositional phrase when the comma is necessary to make the meaning of the sentence clear. Ex: In the morning the left. Ex: In the morning, sunlight streamed through the window.

13. Rule 7 Use Commas to set off an expression that interrupts a sentence. My answer is correct, I think. Quill Brabham, our neighbor, works my last nerve. Naturally, we expect to win.

14. Rule 8 Use commas to set off nonessential appositives and appositive phrases. An appositive is a noun or phrase that identifies the person or thing it follows. Remember appositives/ and appositive phrases may be essential or non essential. Use commas to set off MOST appositives. Do not use commas to set off a short appositive, such as one name. This is my friend Kara.

15. My brother, the biggest nerd I know, plans to throw a party! S appositive V Even without the appositive, the sentence still makes sense : My brother plans to throw a party! Sentence Structure: Appositives

16. Rule 9 Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase. Beginning a new school year, Jada felt somewhat nervous. Greeted with applause from the fans, Joshua ran out onto the soccer field.

17. Rule 10 Use a comma after conjunctive adverbs such as however, moreover, therefore, furthermore, and nevertheless. Ex: The city is growing; therefore, construction companies will need to build more houses.

18. Rule 11 use a comma after an introductory adverb clause (subordinate clause) Adverb clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. The subordinating conjunctions are after, although, as, because, before, considering (that), if, in order that, since, so that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, wherever, whether, or while. Remember: If the subordinate clause comes at the end of the sentence, no comma is needed.

19. Ex: After she finished her homework, Aniya decided to watch Divorce Court. Ex: Shelby had to take swim lessons because she can’t breathe underwater.

20. Remember: Don’t place commas around essential phrases and clauses. To determine if a phrase is essential ask yourself if it tells you which one. The people waiting to see Michael Jordan whistled and cheered. A bowl made by Maria Martinez is a collector’s item. The tornado predicted by the meteorologist did not hit our area.

21. Rule 12 use a comma or a pair of commas to set off an adjective clause that is non-essential to the meaning of a sentence. Adjective clauses (subordinate clause) often begin with who, whom, whose, which, or that Swimming, which requires strength and stamina, is a challenging sport. The athletes whom I admire are swimmers.

22. Rule 13 Use commas to separate items in dates and addresses. ** Don’t use a comma if only the month and year are given. School ended in May 2010. *** Don’t use a comma between state and a zip code. Ex: She was born on January 26, 1988, in Cheshire, Connecticut. Ex: A letter dated November 26, 1888, was found in the old house at 980 West Street, Davenport, Iowa, yesterday. Ex: On May 25 1935 the runner Jesse Owens tied or broke six world track records. Ex: The American Saddle Horse Museum is located at 4093 Iron Works Pike Lexington KY 40511-8462.

23. Rule 14 Use a comma after the salutation of a personal letter and after the closing of any letter. Ex: Dear Dad, Ex: Dear Kelli, With love, Yours truly,

24. Rule 15 Use a comma or pair of commas to set off an abbreviated title or degree following a person’s name. Autumn Lewis, PhD, will be the guest speaker for the program. Stella White-Day, FNP, will open her clinic in May 2011.

25. Rule 16 Use comma to set off too when it means “also.” You may go to the party, too. Dr. Warren, too, rode on the bus with us.

26. Rule 17 use a comma to set off a direct quotation.  Follow your rules for dialogue punctuation.  If the He said comes first, place the comma after said. He said, “I know Kung Fu.”  If the he said comes after the quote, place the comma inside the quotation marks after the last word in the quotation. “I’ll dance with you,” he said.

27. Commas in Quotations If the he said comes in the middle of the quote, place the comma inside the quotation marks after the last word in the first part of the quote and after the he said. “Put the box,” he said, “in the house.”

28. Ex: “When the bell rings said the teacher leave the room quietly.” Ex: Ben declared “I’m going to the Disco 70s dance tonight in the school cafeteria.” Ex: Suzie whispered “I’m going to try out for the tennis team.”

29. Rule 18 Use a comma for clarity ( make things clearer) in reading a sentence Ex: Instead of three, four panelists discussed pollution.

30. I want to go, too I, too, want to go. Oh, I’m sorry!