Grammar in Action

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Grammar in Action

• Commas
• Introductory Adverb
• Noun of Direct Address
• Nonessential Appositive

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Commas

• When writers use introductory parenthetical
  expressions, and nonessential material, they set
  them off with commas. The following examples
  illustrate the role of the comma in setting off
  such added elements.

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Commas Introductory Adverb

• Slowly, they picked up their scattered belongings.

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Noun of Direct Address

• Bob, will you come with us?
• Please take me home, Anne.
• Meredith, join our group.
• Before I forget, Jane, let me have your cell
  phone number.

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Nonessential Appositive

• George, the great liar, told us the story.
• Mr. McCarthy, the soccer coach, gave me a ride
  home.
• Sister Kathleen, our principal, celebrated her
  Jubilee on Sunday.
• Then Enkidu, the faithful companion, pleaded
  answering him

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Student Activity 1 After Reading

• Find two instances where the author Sandars uses
  a comma to set off nouns of direct address.
  Explain in your notebook how in each case this
  use of the comma adds drama to the epic.

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Student Activity 2

• Invent your own heroic epithets for Gilgamesh,
  Shamash, and Humbaba.
• Use these phrases as nonessential appositives in
  a description of Gilgameshs battle with Humbaba.