Commas Grade 7

Objectives You will be able to: 1.Define and recognize dependent and independent clauses. 2.Use commas correctly.

Take Out Binder with Paper Remember Cornell Note-taking method.

Review - A Sentence must have: 1.? 2.? 3.?

A Sentence must have: 1.Subject 2.Predicate 3.Express a complete thought

What is a clause? A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a predicate.

CLAUSES A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a predicate. An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Commas Indicates a PAUSE or CHANGE OF THOUGHT.

Commas Comma example "Strong talented and natural writers have always been first of all readers yet we often ignore the relationship” she says going on to comment on the connection between reading and writing termed simply if rather uncreatively “the reading/writing connection” by the education community has been investigated and examined only since the early 1980s.

Commas Comma example answer “Strong, talented, and natural writers have always been, first of all, readers, yet we often ignore the relationship,” she says, going on to comment on the connection between reading and writing, termed simply if rather uncreatively “the reading/writing connection” by the education community, has been investigated and examined only since the early 1980s.

Rules for Commas 1. In a list of three or more items, place a comma after each item except the last. I am taking art, music, and gym class this semester. Pat's favorite hobbies are bicycling, collecting unusual rocks, and writing science-fiction stories. GO TO PAGE 582 CD 2-1vid CD2-2vid

Rules for Commas 2. Place a comma before the conjunction in a compound sentence. Marcus ran like a track star to catch the bus, but he realized he was too late as it drove off. A compound sentence contains one or more independent clauses. CD 2-2vid

Rules for Commas 3. Place a comma after an introductory phrase or clause. Because he was so funny, Charlie was very popular with the other kids. If you want to come along, be at the bus stop by 7:30. At last night's game, the gym was packed and the fans were rowdy. Realizing her error, the principal apologized to the student for accusing him. When it rains heavily, our basement floods. GO TO PAGE 590

Rules for Commas However, don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast). Incorrect: She was late for class, because her alarm clock was broken. Incorrect: The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating. Correct: She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar. (This comma use is correct because it is an example of extreme contrast)

Rules for Commas 4. Use commas to set off a phrase describing a noun or pronoun if it is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence. Scarlett Johansson, my favorite actress in the whole world, has a new movie coming out. If you deleted the phrase "my favorite actress in the whole world," the sentence would still make sense. The essential meaning would not change. Scarlett Johansson has a new movie coming out. CD 2-4vid PAGE 586

Rules for Commas 5. Use commas to set off parenthetical/interrupting expressions. Sometimes, writers interrupt their sentences with "side remarks" that aren't necessary for the reader to understand the sentence. Set off these remarks with commas. Cynthia is, believe it or not, planning to visit Antarctica next year. It's going to be 105° outside today, as a matter of fact.

Rules for Commas Not every use of commas is covered by these rules. For example, you need to use them in dates and addresses, and to introduce some quotations. But the five rules just discussed will get you through most writing situations.

Comma Video 5F-B B082- 7AADE59F9B7A&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US 5F-B B082- 7AADE59F9B7A&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US _homework_help.html?campaign=DE _homework_help.html?campaign=DE

Comma Info & Quiz

Comma - Textbook Page (Dean Martin)

Comma Exercises

The Semicolon Think of a semicolon as being a stronger break than a comma, but a weaker break than a period.

The Semicolon Semicolons are used to separate two complete thoughts that are closely related. If you have two or more closely related thoughts in one sentence, a semicolon may be the best way to connect the clauses containing those thoughts. Be careful, though; each clause must be able to stand alone as a complete sentence.

The Semicolon If you use a conjunction to connect clauses, such as and, but, or, nor, for, or so, do not use a semicolon between the clauses. Use a comma instead. Correct: The rainstorm struck without warning, and everyone at the game got soaking wet. Correct: The rainstorm struck without warning; everyone at the game got soaking wet. Incorrect: The rainstorm struck without warning; and everyone at the game got soaking wet.

The Semicolon C64FE13-AFBC-4C03-86DC-2971C89FE91C C64FE13-AFBC-4C03-86DC-2971C89FE91C

Colon Use a colon when the second part of a sentence helps explain the first part. In this kind of situation, the colon is like a trumpet that signals an important announcement. Megan's mom and dad had a big problem this morning: the coffeepot was broken. A colon also can be used to introduce a list. I have three favorite ice cream flavors: fudge ripple, bubble gum, and raspberry swirl. glish_homework_help.html glish_homework_help.html

Capital Letters Capital Letters are used for: the directions North, South, East, and West when they refer to sections of the country. For example: We left the South and drove north toward home.

Capital Letters Capital Letters are used for: the names of deities and sacred books. For example: Holy Spirit Bible Koran Old Testament

Capital Letters Capital Letters are used for: the principal words in titles (but not the articles a, an, or the; coordinating conjunctions; or prepositions unless they are the first or last words). For example: To Kill a Mockingbird "The Willow and the Gingko"

Capital Letters Capital Letters are used for: abbreviations of words that are capitalized. For example: Mrs. Dr. Jan. Ave.

Sentences A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought and has a subject and a predicate. Begin a sentence with a capital letter, and end it with a punctuation mark.

Four Types of Sentences 1. A declarative sentence makes a statement. Use a period at the end of a declarative sentence. Example: Janelle is painting a picture of an imaginary place.

Four Types of Sentences 2. An interrogative sentence asks a question. Use a question mark at the end of an interrogative sentence. Example: Did she dream it up by herself?

Four Types of Sentences 3. An imperative sentence gives a command or makes a request. Use a period at the end of an imperative sentence. Remember that the subject of imperative sentences is always you. However, the subject is "understood" and therefore does not appear in the sentence. Example: Think about all the uses for artwork.

Four Types of Sentences 4. An exclamatory sentence expresses strong feeling. Use an exclamation point at the end of an exclamatory sentence. Example: What fantastic places those are!

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