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Some basic comma rules.

Some basic comma rules. Because, as we all know, they save lives. 1. Separate 3 or more elements in a series. He made fun of his sister, ran away , and begged for forgiveness when he got hungry. She likes to run, hike , and swim.

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Some basic comma rules.

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  1. Some basic comma rules. Because, as we all know, they save lives.

  2. 1. Separate 3 or more elements in a series • He made fun of his sister, ran away, and begged for forgiveness when he got hungry. • She likes to run, hike, and swim. • Their favorite foods are hamburgers, pizza, fries, and tater tots. • *The comma between the last two elements in a series is referred to as an Oxford comma. Some people don’t like it, but I believe it helps prevent much confusion.

  3. Practice! • In a complete sentence and using commas appropriately, list 5 things you would pack if you were going to spend the night on a volcano.

  4. 2. Comma+FANBOYS conjunction to connect two independent clauses • I enjoy running. He enjoys being lazy. • I enjoy running, but he enjoys being lazy. • REMEMBER: This rule only applies if you have two INDEPENDENT clauses. • X I enjoy running, but also enjoy being lazy sometimes. X

  5. Practice! • Combine the following clauses using your FANBOYS conjunction of choice: • He rides bulls at rodeos. • She likes skater boys. • People can be cruel. • Unicorns are so fluffy I’m going to die.

  6. More Practice! • Good or bad comma usage: • I like to teach, and sleep at the same time. • We were friends, but things changed. • Do you prefer to read, or write? • I understand comma usage perfectly, but must pretend I’m learning something. • This is a thrilling lesson, but I still want to go home.

  7. 3. Set off an introductory element • Walking toward him, I couldn’t control the beating of my heart. • Punching her bully in the face, she suddenly felt liberated. • Slow and goofy-looking, sloths are my favorite mammal.

  8. Careful! • Make sure that your introductory clause modifies the word that comes immediately after the comma. For example: • Walking toward him, my heart beat wildly. • This would indicate that my heart was walking toward him. • Desperate to go home, her bags were packed 5 minutes before it was time to leave. • Her bags were desperate to go home?

  9. Practice! • Using an introductory phrase and proper punctuation, write a sentence describing how you felt when you woke up this morning. Here are some sample introductory phrases: • “Stretching my arms and yawning…” • “Begging the alarm clock to be quiet…” • “Waking up in joyous anticipation…”

  10. 4. Set off parenthetical elements • Parenthetical element=a part of the sentence that can be removed without changing the essential meaning • Calcaneus, my black and white dog, is chewing a bone. • His greatest dream, to climb Mt. Everest, will probably never come true. • J.K. Rowling’s adult novel, The Casual Vacancy, received lackluster reviews.

  11. Practice! • Write a sentence about what you had for dinner last night that includes a parenthetical clause set off by commas. • Ex. Last night for dinner I had bean and cheese burritos, heated in the microwave, because my kitchen is under renovation. • Or: Last night for dinner I had bean and cheese burritos, made by yours truly, because my kitchen is under renovation.

  12. Story time! • Using commas to separate three or more items in a series, connect two independent clauses, set off an introductory element, and set off a parenthetical element (all at least once), write a paragraph that has something to do with Thanksgiving. • Ideas: how you feel after the Thanksgiving meal, your family’s traditions, the best Thanksgiving ever, your favorite/least favorite food, etc.

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