Comma Lesson #1 Punctuating Dialogue and Quotations

A quotation shows the exact words that a person or people said A quotation shows the exact words that a person or people said. Quotations can be used to show dialogue, which is a conversation between two or more people.

Writing a quotation that begins a sentence: - capitalize the first word - place the entire quotation, including the end marks inside the quotation marks "Where are you going?" he asked. A “sentence” of dialogue that would normally end in a period should be separated from the SPEAKER TAG (he said, she asked, they yelled) with a comma. "I have to leave now," she said.

If the quotation ends a sentence, then add a comma before it If the quotation ends a sentence, then add a comma before it. She said, "I have to leave now." He asked, "Where are you going?"

If the quotation is interrupted by the SPEAKER TAG, then add a comma before and after it so that the SPEAKER TAG is completely “separated” from the quotation. “I’m sorry,” she said, ”but I have to leave now."

If the quotation is made of multiple sentences that are interrupted by the speaker tag, then punctuate according to speaker tag placement. "Where are you going?” he asked. “The movie isn’t over yet.” “That was a great game,” she said. “I never expected the Cubs to win!” 

Practice this skill: IXL 6th grade, I.14 Writing practice: Create a line of dialogue that begins with the speaker tag. Create a line of dialogue that ends with the speaker tag. Create a line of dialogue that is interrupted by the speaker tag. Create at least two lines of dialogue that are interrupted by the speaker tag.

Comma Lesson #2: Day and Year Rule

Day and Year rule: In dates with a day and a year, use a comma after the day. Also use a comma after the year unless the date ends the sentence. Examples: January 1, 2001, was the first day of this century. Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869.

Do NOT use a comma when only the month and year are given. Example: We plan to take a cruise in December 2018.

Practice this skill: IXL 4th grade, J.2 Writing practice: Create a sentence that contains a day and a year where the date is at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence. Create a sentence that contains a day and year where the date is at the end of the sentence. Create a line of dialogue that begins with the speaker tag and contains a day and year. Create a line of dialogue that ends with the speaker tag and contains a day and year.

Comma Lesson #3: Places Rule

Places rule: When the name of a city is used with the name of its state or country, use a comma after the city. Also use a comma after the state or country unless it ends the sentence. Examples: Chicago, Illinois, is known as the Windy City. We just booked a flight to Athens, Greece.

Practice this skill: IXL 4th grade, J.3 Writing practice: Create a sentence that contains a city and state where the place is at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence. Create a sentence that contains a city and state where the place is at the end of the sentence. Create a line of dialogue that begins with the speaker tag and contains a city and country. Create a line of dialogue that is interrupted by the speaker tag and contains a city and state.

Comma Lesson #4: Direct Address

Direct Address rule: Use commas to separate the name of a person being spoken to from the rest of the sentence. If the name comes in the middle of the sentence, the commas should come before and after. If the name comes at the beginning of the sentence, the comma should follow. If the name comes at the end of the sentence, the comma should precede. Examples: I need to remind you, Max, of the test tomorrow. Carol, can I get your cell phone number? Thank you for your help, Bella.

Practice this skill: IXL 4th grade, J.4 Writing practice: Create a sentence that contains a direct address at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence. Create a sentence that contains a direct address at the end of the sentence. Create a line of dialogue that ends with the speaker tag and contains a direct address. Create two lines of dialogue that are interrupted by the speaker tag and contain a direct address.

Comma Lesson #5: Items in a Series

Items in a series rule: Use commas to separate three or more items in a series. Put a comma after each item in the list, except for the last one. Example: Red, white, and blue are the colors of the American flag. Examples: Red, white, and blue are the colors of the American flag. I would like a pizza with pepperoni, mushrooms, and italian sausage. Getting a good night’s sleep, using a study guide, and feeling confident are key to doing well on a test or exam.

Practice this skill: IXL 5th grade, I.1 Writing practice: Create a sentence that contains one-word items in a series at the beginning of the sentence. Create a sentence that contains multi-word items in a series at the end of the sentence. Create a line of dialogue that ends with the speaker tag and contains items in a series. Create a line of dialogue that is interrupted by the speaker tag and contains items in a series.

Comma Lesson #6: Interjection

Interjection rule: Use a comma after a MILD interjection Interjection rule: Use a comma after a MILD interjection. Interjections with more emphasis or emotion should be followed by an exclamation mark Examples: Oh, what a beautiful sunset. Wow, you have great handwriting. Oh! Watch out for that pothole! Wow! Did you see that play?

Practice this skill: IXL 5th grade, I.3 Writing practice: Create a sentence that contains an interjection and a date (day, month, year). Create a sentence that contains a direct address and an interjection. Create a line of dialogue that begins with the speaker tag and contains an interjection and a place (city, state or city, country). Create a line of dialogue that ends with the speaker tag and contains an interjection and items in a series.

Comma Lesson #7: Interrupters

Interrupter rule: Use commas around an interrupter: a word, phrase, or clause that adds additional, nonessential information to the sentence, the removal of which would not change the basic meaning of the sentence. Example: You, of course, may have a different opinion. Use commas to set off phrases that use the words not or unlike to qualify nearby text. Examples: Alexander the Great was Macedonian, not Greek. Tara, unlike Megan, finds chemistry fascinating.

Practice this skill: IXL 6th grade, I.3 Writing practice: Create a sentence that contains an interrupter of your choice. Create a sentence that contains an interrupter that includes the words “not” or “unlike.” Create a line of dialogue that begins with the speaker tag and contains an interrupter and a date with only month and year. Create a line of dialogue that ends with the speaker tag and contains an interrupter and an interjection.

Comma Lesson #8: FANBOYS

FANBOYS rule or Conjunction in Compound sentence rule: In a compound sentence (two sentences combined to make one longer one), use a comma before the FANBOYS conjunction that joins the two independent clauses. FANBOYS conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. Example: We saw a flash of lightning, and seconds later we heard the rumble of thunder. I would like to go to the picnic, but the weather looks pretty bad. My brother claims to hate all things STAR WARS, yet he spent $20 on an IMax ticket to The Last Jedi.

Practice this skill: IXL 5th grade, I.4 Writing practice: Create a compound sentence that contains the conjunction so, yet, or but. Create a compound sentence that begins with an interjection. Create a compound sentence of dialogue that ends with the speaker tag and contains an a place and a date. Create a compound sentence of dialogue that is interrupted by the speaker tag and contains items in a series.

Comma Lesson #9: Complex Sentences

Complex Sentence rule: A complex sentence includes an independent clause (could be a short sentence by itself) and a dependent clause (has a subject and a verb, but can’t be a short sentence by itself). In a complex sentence, if the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, use a comma after the dependent clause. A dependent clause frequently begins with a word like after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, or while.

Examples: If she ever gets the chance, Terri would love to visit the Egyptian pyramids. Because we switched to Eastern Standard time, the sun goes down before 6pm. After the movie was over, we went out for ice cream. “When we were kids,” he said, “ we went swimming almost every day in the summer.” “While I was waiting for you, I texted your father to let him know we will be late,” said my mother.

Practice this skill: IXL 5th grade, I.4 Writing practice: Create a complex sentence that begins with the word before, unless, or until. Create a complex sentence that also contains three items in a series. Create a complex sentence of dialogue that ends with the speaker tag and contains an interrupter. Create a compound sentence of dialogue that is interrupted by the speaker tag and contains a place with city and state.

Comma Lesson #10: Introductory Words and Phrases

Introductory words and phrases rule: Use a comma after words like yes, no, well, likewise; phrases like in fact, of course, in addition, in conclusion, and many others, when they are followed by a complete sentence.

Examples: Yes, that sounds great. Okay, we can leave for our vacation tomorrow. In fact, I was just about to call and ask if you would come by. In addition, packing for bad weather is probably a good idea.

Practice this skill: IXL 4th grade, J.4 Writing practice: Create a sentence that begins with an introductory word followed by direct address. Create a sentence that begins with an introductory phrase and contains items in a series. Create a sentence of dialogue that ends with the speaker tag and contains an introductory phrase. Create a sentence of dialogue that is interrupted by the speaker tag and contains an introductory phrase.

Comma Lesson #11: Commas with Coordinate Adjectives

Answer these two questions to check for coordinate adjectives: Coordinate adjectives rule: Coordinate adjectives are adjectives that describe the same noun equally. They should be separated with commas. Answer these two questions to check for coordinate adjectives: Does the text still sound okay when the adjective order is changed? Does the text still sound okay when and is inserted? If the answer to both questions is yes, then the adjectives are coordinate and should be separated with commas. Practice this skill: IXL 6th grade, I.4

Examples of coordinate adjectives: Volcanic ash has a sandy, abrasive texture. Volcanic ash has an abrasive, sandy texture. Van Gogh was a struggling, undiscovered artist during his lifetime. Van Gogh was an undiscovered, struggling artist during his lifetime. Examples of non-coordinate adjectives: My brother wears a red wool sweater. My brother wears a wool red sweater. (SOUNDS WEIRD!) I like my new English teacher. I like my English new teacher. (HUH?)

Practice this skill: IXL 6th grade, I.4 Writing practice: Create a sentence that begins with a direct address and contains coordinate adjectives. Create a sentence that begins with an interjection and contains coordinate adjectives. Create a sentence of dialogue that ends with the speaker tag and contains coordinate adjectives. Create a sentence of dialogue that is interrupted by the speaker tag and contains coordinate adjectives.

Comma Lesson #12: Commas with Non-Essential Information

Nonrestrictive or Nonessential information rule: Use commas to set off nonrestrictive or nonessential information in a sentence. Nonrestrictive or nonessential information is not necessary in order for a reader to identify who or what is being discussed or the basic meaning of the sentence. Without Nonessential information, the meaning of the sentence would still be clear.

Examples of commas with nonessential information: The Golden Gate Bridge, which first opened in 1937, took over four years to build. The underlined information isn't required to interpret the sentence. The Golden Gate Bridge took over four years to build. Without the information, a reader still knows which bridge took four years to build.

Do not use commas to set off restrictive information in a sentence Do not use commas to set off restrictive information in a sentence. Restrictive information is necessary in order for a reader to identify exactly who or what is being discussed. Without the information, the meaning of the sentence would become unclear. The author J.K. Rowling was born in Yate, England. The underlined information helps a reader identify which author is being discussed. The author was born in Yate, England. Without the information, a reader doesn't know which author is being discussed.

Practice this skill: IXL 6th grade, I.7 Writing practice: Create a sentence that contains nonessential information that needs to be set off with commas. Create a sentence that begins with a direct address and contains nonessential information. Create a sentence of dialogue that ends with the speaker tag and contains nonessential information. Create a sentence of dialogue that begins with the speaker tag and contains nonessential information and coordinate adjectives.