Commas, Commas, Commas

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Commas, Commas, Commas

• Do you know how to use a comma?

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Learning Goal

• By the end of our lesson today, you will be able
  to answer these three questions
• What does a comma look like?
• Why is it important to use a comma?
• When should I use a comma?

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Do you know what a comma looks like?

• You may have gotten confused before when you
  thought about commas.
• The reason is that commas have a twin. Their
  twin is the apostrophe.
• Well, lets think about twins...
• Twins may look alike or very similar, but they
  rarely act alike.
• Commas and apostrophes are the same way.

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Comma or apostrophe?

• One of the first ways to tell the difference
  between a comma and an apostrophe is to find them
  in a sentence
• My sister doesnt like pickles, okra, or onions.

An apostrophe is in the air, and a comma is on
the line.
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Comma or Apostrophe?

• Didnt you forget your homework?
• My sister, Fern, has a pig.
• Dogs arent picky.
• Dear Mom, Will you buy me candy?
• Im moving to New York.
• We need Kleenex, pencils, and glue.

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• On with the show!

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Well, why should you use a comma?

• You should use a comma because I said to.
• Just kidding
• Use a comma because it is proper grammar.
• Okay, what does that mean?
• Well, that means that if you dont use a comma,
  people reading what you have written will be
  really confused.

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Let me show you

• My sister Fern has a pig.
• Dear Mom Will you buy me candy?
• We need Kleenex pencils and glue.

Why is this confusing?
Why is this confusing?
Why is this confusing?
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• What is the comma telling you to do in those
  sentences?
• Pause, take a breath, before continuing.

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• Now do you see why it is important to use a comma?

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• On with the show!

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So, when should you use a comma?

• In the greeting or closing of a letter.
• In a sentence when you are talking to someone or
  direct address.
• In a list of items

Dear Tom, Your dog is weird. Your
friend, Macy
Lisa, come here right now.
Did you bring your pillow, sleeping bag, and
pajamas?
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Lets look at some more examples