Making Meaning: Are Commas Important?  A panda walks into a restaurant. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and fires two shots in the air.  "Why? Why are you behaving in this strange, un- panda-like fashion?" asks the confused waiter, as the panda walks towards the exit. The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over his shoulder.  "I'm a panda," he says, at the door. "Look it up."  The waiter quickly pages to the relevant entry in the manual and, sure enough, finds an explanation.  "Panda. Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots, and leaves."

Commas are Important! Commas are used to:  Show the speaker where to pause  A sixth grade student, filled with knowledge of commas, launched a devastating attack on bad grammar.  Separate ideas  The brave knight slaughtered the dragon, rescued the princess, wrote her a Shakespearean sonnet, and won her heart.  Affect meaning  Eats shoots and leaves.  Eats, shoots, and leaves.

Comma Rule #1  Use commas in a sentence to identify words, phrases, and clauses that are dependent (i.e., cannot stand alone).  To determine dependence, ask yourself: “If I left out the word, phrase, or clause, would this sentence still make sense?”  Examples: This Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the day I have a test. Although I do not like ketchup, I like tomatoes.

Comma Rule # 2  Use commas to separate two independent clauses when they are joined by a conjunction.  Example:  I want to buy the new jacket. (complete thought)  It is too expensive. (complete thought)  I want to buy the new jacket, but it is too expensive. (two clauses are joined by conjunction) Note: The comma should come before the conjunction.

Comma Rule #3  Use commas to separate the adjectives describing a noun if equal in status.  To determine equality, ask yourself: “Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are written in reverse order?”  Examples:  The black, white, and red polka dots gave the purse a playful appearance. (adjectives have equal status – commas are necessary)  She wore a yellow cotton dress. (adjectives do not have equal status – no comma necessary)

Comma Rule #3 cont.  Use commas to separate a list of nouns.  Comma placement determines if the nouns have equal or shared status.  Examples:  Katie, Kiara, and Jasmine went to the mall yesterday. (All three subject nouns are separated by commas and are equal in status.)  The baker divided the cookies between Gabby, Pam, Caroline and Janeli. (Only the first two nouns are separated by a comma; the other two share status.)

Comma Rule #4  Use commas to offset a direct address.  Examples:  Amber, please answer the next question on the board.  Dilan, you did an excellent job on your homework!  Use commas to offset interjections.  Examples:  Stop, don't take one more step!  Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!

Comma Rule #5  Use commas to offset key parts of a letter, including the date, greeting, and closing.  Example: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 Tuesday, March 13, 2012 Dear Andi, How are you? Are you enjoying your new school in Illinois? Did you get lots of snow this winter? When are you coming to visit? Sincerely, Sincerely, Your friends in Georgia Your friends in Georgia

Group Activity Determine the meaning of the following sentences - with and without commas - and identify the correct comma placement: 1.The meatballs on the other hand are rather bland. 2.Eat here and get gas. 3.Slow children at play. 4.The million dollars will be split between Brandon, Benton, Connor and Joseph.