Comma, comma, comma, comma, comma chameleon Comma workshop, 29 April 2015

Welcome!

Basic rules of comma usage Commas seem like they should be easy, but they are actually rather difficult because there are so many rules around them. However, if you can grasp the four general rules we’ll talk about today, you will go a long way toward using commas effectively. Remember, commas serve as dividers within sentences. Their function is to help clarify meaning. If you picture your sentence as a house, then periods serve as walls between rooms, and commas work as screens you may put up to divide a room.

Rule 1: Use a comma in a compound sentence. A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses that are separated by a coordinating conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions can be remembered with the mnemonic device: F(or) A(nd) N(or) B(ut) O(r) Y(et) S(o)

Examples of Rule 1 To do: I went on a picnic, and the ants took my dessert. I love all creatures, for I am a vegetarian. My instinct was not to hurt the ants, but my desire to kill the ants took over, much to my distress. Not to do: I went on a picnic and the ants took my dessert. I went on a picnic, and ate fried tofu.

A side note on comma splices: If you do not have a coordinating conjunction between two independent clauses, you cannot use simply a comma to connect them. This results in a comma splice. EXAMPLE: I went on a picnic, the ants took my dessert. How can you fix the above sentence to remove the comma splice?

Rule 2: Use a comma to set off introductory or nonessential information. Nonessential information is anything that could be removed from the sentence without significantly altering its meaning. If the nonessential information appears in the middle of a sentence, you must use commas around the information (before and after).

Examples of Rule 2 to do: Because it looked like rain, I took an umbrella on the picnic. The ants, black in color, made a try for my chicken too. Maybe: In spring, it often rains. not to do: I took an umbrella on the picnic, because it looked like rain. The, black, ants tried to eat everything.

A note about “that” and “which” “Which” introduces nonessential information and therefore needs commas. “That” introduces essential information and therefore does NOT need commas. EXAMPLE: The picnic area, which was in a grassy meadow, was far from where I lived. The chicken that I took to the picnic was from Safeway.

Rule 3: Use a comma to separate items in a series This includes the serial comma!! The serial comma is the comma that comes before “and” or “or” and the final item in the series. It is also called the Oxford comma.

Examples of Rule 3 to do: The dessert was a pie with cherries, berries, and apples. I’d like to thank my classmates, Bob, and William Shakespeare. not to do: The chicken was tasteless, dry and cold. I’d like to thank my classmates, Bob and William Shakespeare.

Why is the serial comma so important? You may have been told that it is not necessary. But it is (the exception is if you are a journalist). Sometimes your sentence can be misread without it!

Rule 4: Use a comma before dialogue or a quotation. Do not use one after “that” because the dialogue or quotation is integrated into your introductory sentence (does not need to be divided from it).

Examples of Rule 4 to do: I said to the ants, “Give me back my dessert!” According to Charles Darwin, “Ants are nature’s little scavengers.” not to do: The ants said “Never!” I said that, “Ants are not my friends.”

Final thought Sometimes you want to use a comma for stylistic effect, to make your reader pause. EXAMPLE: By going on picnic I learned everything about ants, and nothing. Be very judicious in using this technique … you don’t know want to put multiple screens up in the living room!

Questions?

Activities and wrap-up Look through comma section in different writing handbooks. Which of the multiple rules discussed there fit into these four rules I’ve provided you? Comma quiz (open book and open note). Discuss answers to quiz. Are there any other aspects of commas that you wish we had talked about here today? Remember, the Writing Center can help you with all your writing needs!