Commas

Comma (,) Definition: punctuation used to separate groups of words so that the meaning of a sentence is clear

Functions: Separates items in a series Create Compound Sentences: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins independent clauses in a compound sentence. Separate nonessential, interrupting information Participial phrases Appositives Introductory phrases Separate a direct address to another person

a. Separate Items in a Series When there are three or more clauses, phrases, or words in a series, use commas in between them Use comma: On the boat we took extra clothes, fishing poles, and some snacks. Do not use comma: On the boat we took extra clothes and fishing poles.

b. Create Compound Sentences Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) when it joins two independent clauses in a compound sentence. An independent clause has a subject and a verb. Flocabulary video

You must put the comma in front of a FANBOYS conjunction For And Nor But Or Yet So If you have two independent clauses but do not have one of these words in between them, you CANNOT use a comma. EVER.

Comma needed: Comma not needed: I enjoyed A Christmas Carol, but Romeo and Juliet is still my favorite play. 2 Indep. Clauses & a Conjunction so we need a comma! Comma not needed: No comma needed b/c there are not 2 independent clauses. I enjoy plays and movies.

c. Separate nonessential, interrupting information If a phrase is NOT needed in a sentence, put commas around it. Appositives Use common sense here: The small turtle, crossing the street slowly, was in danger. (still makes sense without information, nonessential) The small turtle crossed the street slowly. (does not make sense, essential) Interrupting information can occur at the beginning, middle, and end of the sentence. Crossing the street slowly, the small turtle was in danger. The small turtle was in danger, crossing the street slowly.

Examples of appositives Descriptors of the subject Ms. Fischer, a teacher at Trail, enjoys teaching. The name of a thing that is already stated in the sentence The current president, Trump, just entered office.

Let’s Practice 1. Leonardo Dicaprio the actor has appeared in many films. 2. The composer Mozart wrote 5 short piano pieces when he was 6. 3. The card game canasta is descended from mah-jongg an ancient Chinese game.

d. Introductory words A word or phrase that introduces and can be taken out without effecting the sentence. Ex. Currently, the political climate sucks.

e. Separate a direct address to another person When the writer speaks directly to someone in the sentence, he or she must put commas around that name/pronoun/noun.

Let’s Practice! Pg. 477, Exercise 8 Pg. 484, Exercise 12

Homework: Create two funny comma memes that follow two rules we learned. You can upload both images to the assignment on moodle.

Grammar Meme Assignment Choose one of the comma rules that we just learned. 1.Separate items in a series 2.Create Compound Sentences: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins independent clauses in a compound sentence. 3.Separate nonessential, interrupting information 4.Separate a direct address to another person Next, create two memes using the website on Moodle. You can use the memes that I used in my presentation as examples. The meme should be one of the following types: 1. One incorrectly punctuated sentence, which has a humorous result and the correctly punctuated sentence. OR 2. A humorous sentence/fact about commas that has a correct comma usage. Submit your memes on Moodle for credit or turn in a hard copy. I will give you an extra credit point if you create two!

Answers to Exercises Pg. 477, Exercise 8 States, and City, and North, and Mexico, so Correct Year, but Life, but Desertlike, but

Answers to Exercises Pg. 480, Exercise 9 (1-5) Reptiles found in Mexico include turtles, iguanas, rattlesnakes, and lizards. Correct Corn, fruits, wheat, beans, coffee, tomatoes, and rice are grown in Mexico. Natural resources in Mexico include petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, and zinc. Plant and animal life vary with climatic zone, altitude, and precipitation.

Answers to Exercises P. 484, exercise 12 (1,3,5,9) The first Spanish viceroy of Mexico, Antonio de Mendoza, was appointed in 1535. The appointment, it appears, established a Spanish colonial government in Mexico for almost three hundred years. 3. Moreover, the Spaniards had sixty-one viceroys in Mexico. 4. Mexico, you know, was called New Spain then. 5. A series of expeditions, adding land to Spain’s territory, increased the power of Spain in the Americas. 6. Correct 7. The veceregal system was not, in fact, a fair one. 8. Native Americans, who were supposed to be free, were treated like slaves. 9. Correct 10. The people who occupied positions of power were from the Spanish-born minority, who enjoyed power out of proportion to their numbers.