Comma Capers

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Comma Capers

• Designed by
• Elisa Paramore

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Introduction

• Commas are used in writing for 5 main reasons
• To signal where ideas end
• To show how ideas relate to one another
• To show which ideas are emphasized
• To show which ideas are down played
• To signal which ideas are expressed in a persons
  own words

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Topics of Discussion

• The 6 most important comma rules are
• To separate 3 or more items in a series
• To set off introductory material in a sentence
• On both sides of words that interrupt the flow
  of thought in a sentence
• Between 2 complete thoughts connected by a
  conjunction
• To set off a direct quote
• To separate certain everyday material from a the
  rest of a sentence

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Rule 1- Items in a Series

• When using rule 1 remember that the 3 items in
  the series can be single words, phrases or
  clauses.
• Also remember that a comma is only used if the
  word and can be inserted between the items
  without sounding unnatural

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Rule 1 Examples

• He ordered pie, cake and ice cream. (single items
  in a series
• When I go to the country I like to swim, to hike,
  to ride horses and to pick wild flowers. (clauses
  in a series)
• Before his first day of school, Shonda took her
  kindergartener on a tour of the school, she
  introduced him to the principal and she bought
  his school supplies. (Phrases in a series)

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Rule 1 Practice

• The vacation brochure promised us fun relaxation
  and excitement.
• The instructor explained that the class could
  write a paper on a childhood memory on a decision
  recently made or on a favorite teacher.
• The trouble with the mayor is that she does not
  delegate responsibility she does not manage city
  finances and she does not work well with the city
  council members.

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Rule 2 - Introductory Phrases

• When using rule 2, remember that the
  introductory material can be a single word, a
  beginning word group or a dependent clause.

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Rule 2- Examples

• Although she promised to meet me for lunch,
  Caroline never arrived at the restaurant.
  (Introductory subordinate clause)
• By the end of the first half of the tournament,
  our team had won nine games. (Introductory
  phrase)
• Reluctantly, Mr. Simpson told his oldest employee
  that he was selling his business. (Introductory
  adverb)

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Rule 2 Practice

• After we checked to be sure all the doors were
  locked we left the beach house until next summer.
• As a result of the devastating heat wave the
  death toll rose to 108.
• Frequently we accuse others of the behavior we
  dislike most in ourselves.

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Rule 3- Interrupters

• When using rule 3 commas are used after
  transitional words or expressions if the word or
  expression is at the beginning of a sentence
• Or at both the beginning and end if they appear
  in the middle of a sentence.

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Rule 3 - List of Interrupters

• for example, in other words, that is
• Accordingly, because, consequently, for this
  reason, hence, thus, therefore, if then
• Accepting the data, granted that, of course
• In another sense, but conversely, despite,
  however, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the
  other hand, though, yet
• Similarly, more over, also, too, in addition,
  likewise, next in importance
• Add to this, besides, in addition to this, even
  more, to repeat, above all, indeed, more
  important
• At the same time, likewise
• Furthermore, first, finally, last, second, then
• In brief, in conclusion, to sum up
• Since then, after this, thereafter, at last, at
  length, from now on, afterwards, before,
  formerly, later, meanwhile, now, presently,
  subsequently, ultimately, since

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Rule 3 Examples

• The students behavior at the concert, it seems to
  me, was exemplary. (Interrupter in the middle of
  the sentence)
• Of course, not every one shares my concern for
  this issue. (Interrupter at the beginning of the
  sentence)

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Rule 3- Practice

• As a matter of fact the lamp does need a
  higher-wattage bulb.
• This report I feel is inadequately prepared.

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Rule 4- With Conjuctions

• When using rule 4, remember that each complete
  thought must have a subject and a verb
• If either of the two parts of the compound
  sentence lacks a subject or a verb, then it is
  not a complete thought.Therefore a comma cannot
  be used.

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Rule 4 Examples

• The match was over, yet the spectators refused to
  leave.
• The match was over, but the spectators refused to
  leave.
• At night the hummingbird becomes practically
  lifeless, and its body temperature drops to that
  of the surrounding air.

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Rule 4- Practice

• Janice had been rejected many times yet she
  retained her sense of humor.
• The students were lazy and insolent so the
  teacher assigned them extra pages to study.
• Karen fastened red bows to the lamppost for the
  holiday season was fast approaching.

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Rule 5- Direct Quotes

• When using rule 5, remember to insert the comma
  after the explanation of who is talking if it
  comes at the beginning of the sentence
• Or insert it after the direct quote and before
  the explanation of who is speaking if the
  explanation comes at the end of the sentence

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Rule 5 Examples

• Merry said, I have just found a real bargain.
  (Explanation at the beginning)
• Imagination is more important than knowledge,
  said Albert Einstein. (Explanation at the end)
• Imagination, said Albert Einstein,is more
  important than knowledge. (Explanation in the
  middle)

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Rule 5- Practice

• Jimmy the Janitor said pick up the paper.
• Your novel will be published next fall said the
  editor.
• I hope said the teacher that this review will
  help you prepare for the test.

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Rule 6- Everyday Material

• When using rule 6, remember
• To use a comma to separate a direct address from
  the rest of the sentence
• To separate a date from the year and another
  comma to separate the year from the rest of the
  sentence
• To use a comma before both the opening and
  closing salutation of a letter
• To use a comma to separate numbers that are more
  than 3 digits long

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Rule 6- Examples

• Dorie, you must get ready for school now.
  (Remember to place a comma after a direct address
  of a person)
• Todays date is August 18, 1999, the first day of
  fall semester. (Remember to separate the day of
  the month from the year and the year from the
  rest of a sentence.)
• Dear John, ( Remember to place a comma at the end
  of a letters opening salutation.)
• Yours Truly, ( Remember to place a comma after
  the closing salutation of a letter.)
• Last year my salary was 1,000 per month.
  (Remember to place a comma in numbers that are
  more than 3 digits.)

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Other Comma Uses

• Place commas around non-essential information in
  a sentence
• Place commas between the name of a city and state
  if given in a continuous line
• Place commas between parts of an address if given
  in a continuous line
• Place a comma immediately before non-essential
  material that is added to the end of a sentence
• Use comas to separate 2 or more adjectives of
  equal importance that describe the same noun or
  group of words

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Examples for Other Comma Uses

• Uncle Ralph, who has been on the police force 20
  years, believes handgun legislation is the key to
  reducing crime.(the phrase that starts with who
  is not needed for the sentence to make sense to
  the reader, therefore it is enclosed by commas)
• My new address will be 5159 Edgewater Dr., Panama
  City Beach, Florida 25464. (If an address appears
  in a continuous line, remember to place commas
  between the street address and the city and then
  between the city and state.)

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More Examples

• Whether or not I pass the test is my
  responsibility, not my instructors. (Remember to
  place a comma before any extra information at the
  end of a sentence that is not needed for the
  reader to understand what the main idea is.)
• An expensive, well-tailored suit is a necessary
  investment for a young executive. (Remember to
  insert a comma between modifiers such as
  expensive and well-tailored if the adjectives can
  be reversed and if the word and can be placed
  between them.)

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When Not To Use a Comma

• Do not use a comma to separate a subject and its
  verb
• Do not use a comma to separate a verb from its
  object
• Do not use a comma to separate a verb from its
  complement
• Do not use a comma after the words like or such
• Do not use a comma after the word that and a
  direct quote

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Examples of When Not To Use Commas

• The governor-elect, promised to work to change
  the way public education is funded in our state.
  (Remember not to separate a subject and its
  verb.)
• The U.S. has a government, of the
  people.(Remember not to separate a preposition
  from its object.)
• Carl, smacked the ball out of the park. (Remember
  not to separate a verb from its object.)
• Louise will become a concert pianist if she
  continues to study. ( Remember not to separate a
  verb from its complement.)

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More Examples

• Kurt believes in some unusual ideas such as,
  reincarnation, transmigration and mental
  telepathy. (Remember not to use a comma after the
  words like or such.)
• The school board president said that,we are
  considering a ten-month school year.(Remember
  not to use a comma between that and a direct
  quote.)

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Conclusion

• I hope that this workshop has been helpful in
  regard to how to correctly use commas in your
  writing. If you have any questions about this
  topic or any other dealing with English please
  feel free to ask the Student Support Services
  English instructor or your class instructor.
  Please come by Student Support Services to fill
  out an Academic Enrichment Summary so that we may
  document your participation. If you are viewing
  this workshop via the internet you may click on
  the link in the directions box on the Workshops
  page to print one out or e-mail it to
  rcrews_at_wallace.edu. Thank you and Happy Writing!
  Handouts available upon request.
• EXIT