Commas Da, da, dum, dum, duuum!! This set of slides will illustrate the most common uses of one of the most common punctuation marks: THE COMMA

Comma Rule #4 (Ice Tong Rule) Sometimes writers include a clause that is not essential to the main idea of the sentence. Non-essential phrases/clauses should be surrounded with commas. Odysseus, a warrior that has been away from home for 20 years, is a dedicated hero. Essential information: Odysseus is a dedicated hero. Non-essential information: Odysseus is a warrior that has been away from home for 20 years.

A good rule of thumb—when in doubt, lift it out! Comma Rule #4, Continued HINT: When determining where to place your commas, consider whether you could remove a phrase or clause from the sentence and keep the main idea. Telemachus the son of Odysseus and Penelope matures throughout the story. What’s essential/non-essential? Do we need commas here? If so, where? A good rule of thumb—when in doubt, lift it out!

Comma Rule #4 Practice , , A good friend of mine Bill Harris asked that I join him for dinner on Friday. , , Our yearly vacation scheduled to last six weeks has just begun. , , My sister now retired lives in the San Francisco area.

Comma Rule #5 Use a comma to set off introductory interjection words (i.e. well, yes, no). HINT: injection Well, students should have the opportunity to sit where they want. No, I really don’t want to go to the store this weekend. Yes, the test will be scheduled for next week—study hard!

, , , , Comma Rule #5 Practice Well what’s your explanation? No I did not give you permission to visit your friend this weekend. , Yes Mr. Jones, I’m ready. , Oh we didn’t expect to see you so soon.

Comma Rule #6 Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase. (phrase ending with -ing, -ed, -n) What is a participle? A participle is a verbal that is used as an adjective and most often ends in -ing or -ed. The term verbal indicates that a participle expresses action or a state of being. Participles function as adjectives and modify nouns or pronouns. Giggling loudly, she turned bright red. Shaken, he walked away from the wrecked car.

Comma Rule #6 Practice , Looking for help the man fell on his knees to beg. , Barking insistently Smokey got us to throw his ball for him. , Having decided to eat only natural foods he had to give up all of his favorite junk food snacks. , Broken by the news Millie ran home to seek comfort from her family.