COMMAS!!

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COMMAS!!

• All the rules you need to know to avoid COMMA
  DRAMA!

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Commas

• Abuse
• Comma abuse is a common occurrence.
• If a writer leaves out commas, then too much
  information in the sentence runs together and the
  writing will lack clarity.
• If a writer puts in too many commas, then
  information that should be connected becomes
  separated and the writing will confuse readers.

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Commas

• The comma is a punctuation mark that is used to
  keep distinct information separated. It helps the
  reader understand how the ideas in the sentence
  work together.  
• Although many writers benefit from reading aloud
  commas as pauses while proofreading, a comma does
  not always represent a pause in a spoken
  sentence.
• When speaking, people pause for many reasons, and
  placing commas in at all points where you would
  pause often leads to misplaced commas. You are
  better served by learning the rules of comma
  usage!

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Comma AbuseCommas save lives

• Lets eat, Kevin.
• Lets eat Kevin.

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Comma Abuse
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Commas ABUSE
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Comma Abuse
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Comma Abuse
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Comma Abuse
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Comma Abuse
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Comma Rule 1

• Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction
  (FANBOYS) that separates two independent clauses.
• Examples
• The Steelers had a great game against the Giants,
  but they still have several more games to play.
• Catching Fire is the second novel in the Hunger
  Games series, and the movie that is based on the
  book comes out in the fall.

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Practice Rule 1

• Place the comma in the correct spot.
• Mrs. Sellars classes really enjoyed learning
  about commas and clauses.
• Lonnie didnt understand the material so he asked
  Mark if he could tutor him.
• Lisa went to Philadelphia to find her prom dress
  but Lacey ended up making it for her.

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Comma Rule 2

• Use a comma after introductory
• clauses
• phrases
• words that come before the independent clause.
• Examples
• While I was eating, the cat scratched at the
  door.
• With sweat pouring down his face, the point guard
  stepped up to the line.
• Slowly, she crept up the creaky stairs.

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Comma Rule 2

• Do not place a comma in the sentence when the
  dependent clause/phrase follows the independent
  clause.
• Examples
• The cat scratched at the door while I was eating.
• The point guard stepped up to the line with sweat
  dripping down his face.

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Practice with Rules 1-2

• Due to its strong winds and large size Typhoon
  Haiyan destroyed much of the city of Tacloban.
• The typhoon that hit the Philippines was one of
  the deadliest ever recorded and has left much of
  the country in disrepair.
• Sadly many are left starving and homeless.

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Comma Rule 3

• Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence
  to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are
  not essential to the meaning of the sentence
  (extra information).

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Comma Rule 3 (contd.)

• Clues to help you decide whether the sentence
  element is essential.
• If you leave it out, does the sentence make
  sense?
• Does it interrupt the flow of words in the
  original sentence?
• If you move it to a different part of the
  sentence, does it still make sense?
• If you answer yes to one or more of these
  questions, it is a non-essential element and
  should be set off with commas.

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Comma Rule 3

• Examples
• That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is
  the only day I am available to meet.
• This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The
  food, on the other hand, is rather bland.
• In this case, however, you seem to have outdone
  yourself.

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Comma Rule 3 Appositives

• Appositives A noun or noun structure that
  stands in apposition (next to) the noun it
  renames or identifies. The appositive is
  surrounded by commas.
• Examples
• My dog, Bailey, is now one year old.
• The answer to my question, if Max studied for the
  test, seems obvious.
• The Eagles, the best team in football, are
  going to win the NFC Championship.

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Practice with Comma Rule 3

• Write a sentence that has an interrupter in the
  middle.
• Create a sentence that has an appositive, using
  the proper noun, Justin Bieber.

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Comma Rule 4

• Use commas to separate three or more words,
  phrases, or clauses within a series.
• Examples
• The Constitution establishes the legislative,
  judicial, and executive branches of government.
• The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect
  the environment, and end unemployment.
• Adding the last comma in the series before the
  FANBOY is optional!

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Practice with Commas

• The baseball team contributed their win to hard
  work dedication and commitment.
• Cinderella Disneys most celebrated princess was
  signing autograph books in Magic Kingdom.
• Holiday music was playing on the radio. I however
  decided that I would wait until after
  Thanksgiving to begin listening.

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Comma Rule 5

• Use a comma to separate two or more coordinate
  adjectives that describe the same noun.
• Coordinate adjectives are adjectives with equal
  status in describing a noun. You can decide if
  two adjectives are coordinate by asking the
  questions
• Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives
  are written in reverse order?
• Do the adjectives make sense if they have and
  between them?
• If yes, separate by a comma!

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Commas Rule 5 Examples

• He was a difficult stubborn child.
• The cold December wind sent a chill down my
  spine.
• Lets go catch the 800 show at that old drive-in
  movie theater.
• Gracie has a bright happy smile.
• She wore a gray wool shawl.

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Comma Rule 6

• Use commas to set off phrases that express
  contrast or indicate a pause or distinct shift.
  
• Examples
• He was merely ignorant, not stupid.
• The speaker seemed innocent, even gullible.

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Comma Rule 7

• Use a comma to set off geographical names, items
  in a date (except for the month and day), and
  titles in names.

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Comma Rule 7 Examples

• Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from
  Birmingham, England.
• Rachel B. Lake, MD, will be the keynote speaker.
• I was born on June 18, 1982, in Philadelphia,
  Pennsylvania.

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Comma Rule 8

• Always use a comma when directly addressing
  someone/something, regardless of whether the
  direct address is at the beginning, middle, or
  end of the sentence.
• Examples
• Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention?
• Remember to turn off the lights, Becca, before
  you leave the house.

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Comma SpliceThe most serious comma offense!

• Comma splices join two independent clauses with a
  comma.
• Independent clauses can only be joined by
• 1) Coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)
• 2) Semicolon

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Comma SpliceExamples

• Joey went to the grocery store, he needed to buy
  eggs for supper.
• Emily was very hungry, she ate a large pizza.

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Practice with the comma rulesBe prepared to
explain the rule

• 1. The kind gentle doctor examined the screaming
  baby.
• They are one might say true Beliebers.
• Dana the captain of the lacrosse team scored four
  goals and played excellent careful defense.
• 4. It is snowing not sleeting!