1. Commas for Interrupters and Appositives

2. Sometimes, a word or group of words is inserted into the middle of a sentence
Commas are placed on both sides of the word or group of words
Ex: James and I, ironically, don’t look anything alike.
Ex: Savanna, my daughter, doesn’t like to wear jeans.

3. Interrupters vs. Appositives
Appositives tell more information about the subject of the sentence.
Interrupters are usually just introductory phrases or words in the middle of sentences

4. There is a definite pause before and after reading the interrupter or appositive
If the appositive or interrupter is taken out of the sentence, the remaining words still form a complete sentence
Ex: Tony, my brother, lives in Arizona.
Tony lives in Arizona.

5. Try Some The bee which was on the screen was buzzing loudly.
Everyone even Jean can earn an “A” in her class.
I cannot however accept that as a writing.

6. Commas in a List

7. Whenever you have a list or series of at least three items, you need to separate them with commas.
Ex: John is athletic, smart, and very funny.
Ex: Troy used his allowance money to buy a Pepsi, chips, and gum.

8. Must have three items in the list to use a comma
Don’t use a comma when listing two or less things.
ex: Mary liked the Subaru and the Toyota.

9. Last word in the list of three or more must have the word “and” before it
Popcorn, candycorn, and bits of paper were all over the hallway floor.

10. Lists can be nouns, verbs, or phrases
(noun) He can play the cello, bass guitar, and the drums.
(verb) He can run, jump, and dance better than anybody I know.
(phrase) He takes a shower, eats his breakfast, and then brushes his teeth.

11. Commas in Addresses and Dates and Friendly Letters

12. Commas are needed to separate like items in addresses and dates.
ex: December 25, 2008
ex: Waterford, Wisconsin 53938

13. Commas in Letters
In FRIENDLY letters, use a comma after the “Dear ______,” part of the letter (Greeting)
In FRIENDLY letters, use a comma after the “Love,” part of a letter (Closing)

14. Sample Letter Dear John,
I don’t want to go out with you any more. Sorry.
Sincerely,
Shaina

15. Commas in Compound Sentences

16. What is a compound sentence?
Two complete sentences joined together with a conjunction
- for
- and
- nor
- but
- or
- yet
- so

17. Where does the comma go? He loved math class, but he hated science.
(the comma goes BEFORE the conjunction)

18. Do I add a comma anytime I use a conjunction word?
Margie and Janie went to the zoo, and Ron and Beth went to a movie.
(ONLY put a comma before a conjunction when it is connecting two complete sentences, NOT two nouns, verbs, or adjectives)

19. Complete Sentences
A complete sentence contains a subject and a predicate.
A COMPOUND sentence contains TWO COMPLETE sentences.
Ex. I don’t believe in UFO’s, but I do believe in angels.

20. Examples
Ex: My best friend and my sister do not like each other, so we don’t hang around much together.
Ex: We had donuts and pop, yet the others classes had nothing.

21. NON- Examples
My brother has lived in California, and Arizona, but he wants to move back to Iowa.
I will eat the fish, and then get sick.

22. Try Some
The Cascade and the Rocky Mountains are beautiful so we need to make sure to see them someday.
Alan bought the computer but not the fancy keyboard.
They were allowed to play games and eat popcorn yet they hadn’t finished their work.

23. Commas in Letters Commas in Titles After People’s Names

24. Commas in Letters
In FRIENDLY letters, use a comma after the “Dear ______,” part of the letter (Greeting)
In FRIENDLY letters, use a comma after the “Love,” part of a letter (Closing)

25. Sample Letter Dear John,
I don’t want to go out with you any more. Sorry.
Sincerely,
Shaina

26. Titles in People’s Names
When a person’s name includes a title at the end, separate the title from the rest of the name with a comma
Ex: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

27. Common Title Abbreviations
M.D.
Ph. D.
R.N.
Ed. D
Sr.
Jr.
M.S.

28. Examples Shelley Gerjets, M. Ed. Dr. Laura Robb, Ph.D.
George Bush, Sr.
Betty Randall, R.N.

29. Introductory Words and Interjections at the Beginning of a Sentence

30. Definition: Introductory words are words that come at the beginning of a sentence that could be taken away and you would still be left with a complete sentence. Ex: Yes, No, Well, First, Next, Finally
Definition: Interjections are words that show feeling or call attention. They can be used alone or at the beginning of a sentence.
Ex: Yo, Hey, Gee, Darn, Well, Oops,

31. Rule: When used at the beginning of a sentence, put a comma after them
Ex: Yo, I need some help over here.
No, I don’t want any more popcorn shrimp.
Hey, do you want to go to Taft Park tonight?

32. Commas Around the Word “too”

33. Rule: If you want to show emphasis, you may put commas around the word “too” when used in the middle or at the end of a sentence.

34. Rule: If you want to show emphasis, you may put commas around the word “too” when used in the middle or at the end of a sentence.
Ex: I could tell he was interested in it, too.
I, too, am a native Eskimo.

35. Names in a Direct Address

36. Names in a Direct Address
“direct address” means you are talking to the person you are naming in the sentence
The name can be used at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence

37. examples John, I hope that you feel better tomorrow.
Don’t listen to him, John, because he has been known to lie.
I hope you understood what I was telling you, John.

38. Do NOT put commas around names when you are just talking about someone
Ex: I don’t think John understands that algebra stuff.
John isn’t in Mrs. Wasoba’s class.

39. Try some Listen John to the announcements on the intercom.
John will go to wrestling practice tonight.
Will you take this down to the office John?

40. Notes
-Put commas around names when you are talking to someone in a sentence
Ex: Bob, shut the door.
Shut the door, Bob.
Please, Bob, will you shut the door.

41. Using ‘s Appropriately

42. Words that end in “s”
Many words in the English language end with an “s”
- plural nouns (nouns showing more than one of something)
ex. dogs
cats
students
books

43. Words that end in s
- some present tense verbs (action words happening right now)
ex. runs
jumps
talks

44. Words that end in ‘s
Singular possessive nouns (one person or thing OWNING or POSSESSING another)
ex: - Ron’s car
- Jimmy’s notebook
- the rat’s tail
- Mr. Wasoba’s class

45. Words that end in ‘s
Contractions with the word “is” (two words put together, the second word being “is”)
ex: it’s = it is
there’s = there is
here’s = here is
what’s = what is
she’s = she is
he’s = he is
Shelley’s = Shelley is

46. Colons

47. colons and semicolons
colon :
semicolon ;

48. There are only a few times when writers use colons in their writing
There are only a few times when writers use colons in their writing. We will focus on two.
Colons before a list
Colons signaling something of extreme importance

49. BIG rules for these two colon rules
You can only use a colon AFTER a complete sentence.

50. A colon introduces a list
A colon introduces a list. It is important to remember that a colon introduces a list only when the list is attached to a completed complete sentence. We sent copies to the 8th grade teachers: Mrs. Brown, Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Matters, Mrs. Gerjets, and Mr. Wasoba. She needed to complete many chores: the laundry, cleaning the bathroom, and vacuuming the living room carpet.

51. Use a colon to signal a name or description at the end of a sentence when you want to put a lot of emphasis on that name or description.
He was given a nickname by his friends because his dad worked for Frito Lay: Chippy.
She only knew one thing for certain: he was the most gorgeous guy she had ever seen.

52. Hyphens

53. Most common hyphen uses
Used in some compound words
Used in compound numbers

54. Hyphens in Compound Words
There are three forms of compound words: the closed form, in which the words are melded together, such as firefly, secondhand, softball, childlike, crosstown, redhead, keyboard, makeup, notebook;
and the open form, such as post office, real estate, middle class, full moon, half sister, attorney general.
the hyphenated form, such as daughter-in-law, master-at-arms, over-the-counter, six-pack, six-year-old, mass-produced;

55. Hyphens in Compound Numbers
Numbers from 21 through 99, when written in words, need to have a hyphen.
Ex: twenty-two
six hundred and forty-eight
ninety-eight