Commas

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Commas A Digital Unit

• Language Arts 8
• Comma Unit

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Introduction

• You will be using this PowerPoint to enter the
  digital world of commas. Read each slide
  carefully. Complete the examples you are given,
  and record any information that you might find
  helpful on your comma note sheet. Click on the
  arrows to advance to the next slide!
• Be sure to take notes!

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What to Expect?

• During this digital unit, you can expect to read
  a good bit of information about various types of
  commas. You can also expect to encounter many
  practice activities that will help reinforce your
  learning. Be prepared to take a final test on
  all of the information presented here!

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Lets Begin!!!

• Dont forget to take notes!

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Part I Back to Basics!

• The following slides will present some basic
  comma information. Much of the following should
  be a review. But it is still important to read
  through and take notes! We will cover the areas
  of
• Back to Basics
• The Comma
• Phrases and Clauses
• Independent Clauses
• Compound Sentences

• ,

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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.

• ,

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The Terminology!

• A phrase is a group of words that does not
  contain a subject or a verb that complement each
  other.
• She bought some peaches when she went to the
  corner store.

• A clause is a group of words that contains both a
  subject and a verb that complement each other.
• Examples will follow!

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Independent Clauses
1

• A complete sentence has two components, a Subject
  and a Verb.
• The subject and verb must form a complete thought
  to be considered an independent clause.
• An independent clause is a single, complete
  sentence with one single thought.

• S V
• The Couple Dances.
• S V
• The boy laughed.
• S V
• The dog barked.
• S V
• The girl sang.

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Compound Sentences
2

• A sentence that contains two independent clauses
  joined by a coordinating conjunction is called a
  compound sentence. (Two complete sentences joined
  by a comma AND coordinating conjunction).
• A conjunction joins words, phrases, and clauses
  together in a sentence.

• Conjunctions
• for
• and
• nor
• but
• or
• yet
• so

FAN BOYS
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Commas in Compound Sentences

• The comma in a compound sentence is placed before
  the coordinating conjunction.

Bill bought the ingredients, so Leah baked the
cake.
Andy built a snowman, and Jeff played with his
dog.
Mr. Raitano said to complete the comma unit, but
the students played on the internet.
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Compound Sentences Exercise 1

• Directions Click on the word that the comma
  should be attached to. When you are finished,
  advance to the next slide.
• 1. Dan struggled with his homework so his father
  helped him.
• 2. The test was important and he failed
  miserably.
• 3. The girl did not go home nor did she go to
  the game.

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Part II Moving on Up!

• The following slides will present some more
  advanced comma information. Much of the
  following should still be a review. Be sure to
  take notes on anything that you think will be
  helpful
• Moving on Up!
• Dependent Clauses
• Introductory Clauses

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Dependent Clause
3

• Some dependent clause markers
• because though
• since although
• when unless
• while after
• until before
• if once
• as whether

• A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb,
  but the clause is NOT a complete sentence! It
  cannot stand alone.
• Dependent clauses can often be identified by the
  use of dependent clause markers.

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AAAWWUBBIS MEMORIZE THESE WORDS?They begin
SUBORDINATE/DEPENDENT CLAUSES

• A AS
• A ALTHOUGH
• A AFTER
• W WHILE
• W WHEN
• U UNTIL (UNLESS)
• B BECAUSE
• B BEFORE
• I IF
• S - SINCE

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Dependent Phrases and Clauses

• Dependent phrases and clauses help to clarify and
  add detail to an independent clause.
• Dependent clauses may appear at the beginning,
  middle, or end of a sentence.
• DEPENDENT CLAUSES ARE NOT COMPLETE SENTENCES!
  THEY CANNOT STAND ALONE!

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Dependent Clauses serving as Introductory Clauses.
The following rules apply when using a dependent
clause at the beginning of a sentence. This is
often referred to as an introductory clause.

• When a dependent clause is placed at the
  beginning of a sentence, place a comma between
  the independent clause and the dependent clause.

EXAMPLE When Mary called 911, the firemen rushed
to her rescue.
Independent Clause
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Dependent Clauses serving as Introductory Clauses.

• During the game, the boy ate the pizza.
• As the rain fell, the sky turned darker and
  darker.
• Since the girls won, the boys had to wear dresses
  to school.
• Though we lost, the coach still took us out for
  ice cream.
• Before we left home, we all went to the bathroom.
• Unless you take the quiz, you are going to fail
  for the nine weeks.

NOTE When dependent clauses come at the
beginning of the sentence, you MUST use a comma
before moving to the independent clause.

• Dependent/Introductory Clause
• Independent Clause

Notice the independent clause is a COMPLETE
SENTENCE. It CAN stand alone!
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Dependent/Introductory Clause Practice!

• Directions Click on the word that the comma
  should be attached to. Be sure to review
  dependent clauses if you are struggling.
• Once we had arrived we were greeted like royalty.
• During the movie we ate all of the popcorn.
• Though he was the new kid he already had a great
  deal of friends.
• Before he could speak his mother was already
  scolding him.
• Until he told the truth the judge was going to
  keep him locked up.

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Dependent Clauses at the END of a sentence!
When a dependent clause is located after an
independent clause, DO NOT place a comma between
the two.
Complete Sentence
Not a Complete Sentence
I went on the roller coaster because my brother
dared me.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
NO COMMA
Complete Sentence
Not a Complete Sentence
I became very sick when the roller coaster did
circles.
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
NO COMMA
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Dependent Clauses at the END of a sentence!
He was winning the race until he fell down.
CORRECT - INCORRECT
I stole the bike, because my friend told me to.
CORRECT - INCORRECT
I ran all the way home since I was being chased.
CORRECT - INCORRECT
The girl couldnt believe he agreed, after
everything that had happened.
CORRECT - INCORRECT
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Part IV To Be or Not to Be (a comma error)

• The next set of comma rules are fairly common and
  you should be familiar with them. These examples
  are mistakes that are often made the most. Some
  will be old, and some will be new, but we need to
  know if the comma should be there, or if it
  should not be there.
• To Be or Not to Be!
• Commas in a Series
• Commas with Adjectives
• Dates and Addresses
• Letter or Email

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Commas in a Series
8

• Place commas in a sentence to divide items in a
  list.
• The commas will help the reader to avoid
  confusion.
• The comma before the conjunction is required.

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Commas in a Series

• Commas should be placed in a series of words,
  phrases, or clauses.

• Look at the following sentences. Notice where
  the commas are!

The commas separate the items in the series!
1. Martina brushed her hair, put on her pajamas,
and went to bed.
2. She fell asleep and dreamed that she was a
princess, she kissed a frog, and she rescued her
prince.
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Sentence StructureCommas in a Series
Consider the difference in the following Last
month, Alex dated Mary Ann Lee and Kim.

• Notice how important correct comma usage is in
  the statements to the right. It can be very
  confusing to the reader if commas are used
  improperly, or not used at all.

How many girls did Alex date?

• 4?

• 3?

• 2?

• Last month, Alex dated Mary, Ann, Lee, and Kim.
• Last month, Alex dated Mary Ann, Lee, and Kim.

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Commas with adjectives
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• Use commas to separate adjectives that provide an
  equal description of a noun.

big blue house three hungry kittens a
cranky, mean man
The big and blue house (um no) The blue big
house (um no)
The three and hungry kittens (no) The hungry
three kittens (eh)
The cranky and mean man (YES) The mean, cranky
man (YES)
THE TEST Can you put and between the
adjectives? Can they be described in reverse
order? IF YES USE A COMMA!
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To Be, Or Not to Be! Practice
I really wanted to buy the pink shoes, the yellow
hat, the orange gloves and the green socks.
CORRECT - INCORRECT
He had to speak to the strange, smelly old man.
CORRECT - INCORRECT
The party was being held at 307 Writing Lab Way,
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania on Monday, November 11.
CORRECT - INCORRECT
Dear Mom, Thanks for everything! With Love, Leah.
CORRECT - INCORRECT
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To Correct a Comma Splice

• Insert a conjunction between the two independent
  clauses.
• Start a new sentence.
• Insert a semi-colon between the two independent
  clauses (only in cases where the independent
  clauses are closely related in topic).

• We had a nice time, and I hope we can meet again
  soon.
• We had a nice time. I hope we can meet again
  soon.
• The Internet has revolutionized the business
  world online sales have increased dramatically
  this year.

ALMOST FINISHED!!
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Compound Sentences 1

• X

Pick Again!
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Compound Sentences 1
GO YOU!
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Dependent/Introductory 1

• X

Pick Again!
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Dependent/Introductory 1
GO YOU!
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Dependent Clause 1

• X

Pick Again!
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Dependent Clause 1
GO YOU!
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Essential Phrase 1

• X

Pick Again!
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Essential Phrase 1
GO YOU!
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Non-Essential Phrase 1

• X

Pick Again!
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Non-Essential Phrase 1
GO YOU!
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Mixed Bag 1

• X

Pick Again!
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Mixed Bag 1
GO YOU!
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Contrasting Elements 1

• X

Pick Again!
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Contrasting Elements 1
GO YOU!
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To Be, or Not to Be 1

• X

Pick Again!
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To Be, or Not to Be 1
GO YOU!
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Comma Splice 1

• X

Pick Again!
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Comma Splice 1
GO YOU!
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So Ends Day 1 of Commas!
Tiring huh??
You can use this time to review or end the show.
I recommend reviewing your information. If you
decide you are finished, you will be given comma
worksheets to complete!