San Jose State University Writing Center

San Jose State University Writing Center
PUNCTUATION MADE EASY San Jose State University Writing Center

Compare these sentences:
A woman, without her man, is nothing. A woman: without her, man is nothing. Examples from Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynn Truss

Read the passage below:
Dear Jack, I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever happy—will you let me be yours? Jill Examples from Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynn Truss

Examples from Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynn Truss
And now read this one: Dear Jack, I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men I yearn! For you I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart I can be forever happy. Will you let me be? Yours, Jill Examples from Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynn Truss

PUNCTUATION IS IMPORTANT
Because it can radically alter the meaning of a text Because it helps readers to understand what writers are trying to say Because it helps writers to be clear in what they are trying to communicate

A workshop brought to you by the Purdue University Writing Lab
Conquering the Comma Rationale: Welcome to “Conquering the Comma.” This presentation is designed to acquaint your students with the rules of comma usage, including placement in compound sentences, after introductory elements, with dependent phrases and clauses, around nonessential elements, in a series, and with adjectives. This presentation will also cover methods for avoiding a common comma error—the comma splice. The twenty-seven slides presented here are designed to aid the facilitator in an interactive presentation of the elements of comma usage. This presentation is ideal for the beginning of a composition course, the assignment of a writing project, or as a refresher presentation for grammar usage. This presentation may be supplemented with OWL handouts, including “Using Commas” ( “Commas after Introductions” ( and “Commas with Non-essential Elements” ( Directions: Each slide is activated by a single mouse click, unless otherwise noted in bold at the bottom of each notes page. Writer and Designer: Jennifer Liethen Kunka Contributors: Muriel Harris, Karen Bishop, Bryan Kopp, Matthew Mooney, David Neyhart, and Andrew Kunka Developed with resources courtesy of the Purdue University Writing Lab Grant funding courtesy of the Multimedia Instructional Development Center at Purdue University © Copyright Purdue University, 2000. A workshop brought to you by the Purdue University Writing Lab

What Is a Comma? A comma is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause is needed in a sentence. Commas help to clarify meaning for the reader. , Key Concepts: The facilitator may choose to invite the audience to respond to the title question and allow participants to discuss the function of the comma. Many writers become frustrated with comma usage because they are unsure of where to place them in their sentences. This presentation is designed to demystify the placement and usage of commas. The facilitator may stress to participants that commas should not be ignored in writing; they are often needed to clarify meaning within a sentence and can help to avoid confusion. Click mouse after title question to reveal each response.

Clauses and Phrases A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb that complement each other. A phrase is a group of words that does not contain a subject or a verb that complement each other. Key Concepts: This slide articulates the basic differences between a clause and a phrase. The facilitator may stress the importance of understanding these definitions for understanding comma placement.

Sentence Structure: Independent Clause
A complete sentence has two components, a subject and a verb. The subject and verb must form a complete thought to be considered an independent clause. Key Concepts: This slide explains the structure of an independent clause, the primary building block for the development of any sentence. An independent clause requires a subject and a verb that can stand as a complete thought. Sentences can be very short, as the one detailed in the slide. The facilitator may ask the audience to identify the subject and verb in the example. Click mouse after text appears to reveal picture and sample sentence. Click mouse after sample sentence to reveal the labels “subject” and “verb.” The couple dances. The couple dances. subject (S) verb (V)

Sentence Structure: Compound Sentence
A sentence that contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction is called a compound sentence. A conjunction joins words, phrases, and clauses together in a sentence. Conjunctions for and nor but or yet so Key Concepts: This slide explains the structure of a compound sentence and the role of a conjunction. An easy method for remembering the seven coordinating conjunctions is the acronym “fan boys.” Click mouse at the end of the first column. Click mouse at the end of the conjunction list to reveal the acronym. FAN BOYS

The comma in a compound sentence is placed before the coordinating conjunction. Andy built a snowman, and Jeff played with his dog. S V conj. Andy built a snowman, and Jeff played with his dog. S V Example: This slide exemplifies the location of a comma in a compound sentence, before the coordinating conjunction. The facilitator may ask participants to identify the subjects, verbs, and conjunction in the example. Click after example sentence appears to reveal parts of speech.

Where would you place the comma in the following sentence? Example: This slide provides participants with an opportunity to locate the correct position for the comma within the sample sentence. The facilitator may also invite students to identify the subjects, verbs, and conjunction in the sentence. Click mouse after sample sentence to reveal the comma. Click mouse after the comma to reveal parts of speech. Dan struggled with his homework so his father helped him. Dan struggled with his homework, so his father helped him. S V conj. S V

Sentence Structure: Dependent Clause
A dependent clause contains a subject and verb, but the clause cannot stand independently. Dependent clauses can often be identified by the use of dependent clause markers. Some dependent clause markers: because since when while until if as though although unless after before once whether Key Concepts: This slide explains the definition of a dependent clause. The dependent clause markers can help writers identify clauses that cannot stand alone within a sentence.

Sentence Structure: Dependent Phrases and Clauses
Dependent phrases and clauses help to clarify and add detail to an independent clause. Dependent clauses may appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. Key Concepts: This slide further clarifies the role of dependent phrases and clauses within a sentence.

Introductory clause= dependent clause located at the beginning of a sentence
When a dependent clause is placed at the beginning of a sentence, place a comma between the independent clause and the dependent clause. Key Concepts: An introductory clause is a dependent clause located at the beginning of a sentence. After an introductory clause, a comma is needed to distinguish it from the independent clause. Activity: The facilitator may choose to ask students to identify the independent and dependent clauses, the subjects, the verbs, and the dependent clause marker in the sample sentence. Click mouse to reveal the parts of speech. When Elizabeth called 911, the firemen rushed to her rescue. When Elizabeth called 911, the firemen rushed to her rescue. DCM S V S V

Where would you place the comma in the following examples?
Introductory Clause Where would you place the comma in the following examples? Since it was raining, we decided to go to the movies. DCM S V S V Since it was raining we decided to go to the movies. Once the movie began, I fell asleep. DCM S V S V Once the movie began I fell asleep. Activity: This interactive slide invites participants to place commas after the introductory clauses in each sentence. Again, the facilitator may ask students to identify the parts of speech in each example. Click mouse to reveal parts of speech, and then click again to reveal each example. After the movie ended, we went out for coffee. DCM S V S V After the movie ended we went out for coffee.

Dependent Clauses When a dependent clause is
located after an independent clause, DO NOT place a comma between the two. I went on the roller coaster because my brother dared me. S V DCM S V Activity: When a dependent clause follows an independent clause, commas are not used. Facilitators may choose to ask students to identify the parts of speech in each example. I became very sick when the S V DCM roller coaster zoomed upside down. S V

Sentence Structure: Essential Phrases and Clauses
An essential clause or phrase is used to modify a noun. It also adds information that is critical to the meaning of the sentence. Essential clauses are NOT set off by commas. Key Concepts: This slide leads off a section about essential and non-essential phrases and clauses. Essential phrases and clauses—elements that add critical information to the meaning of a sentence—do not have commas placed around them.

The people who work in my office are so uptight! Example: This example illustrates the placement of an essential phrase within a sentence. The phrase “who work in my office” is critical to the overall meaning of the sentence; therefore, it should not be set off with commas. If the clause or phrase is eliminated from the sentence and the sentence no longer makes sense, the clause or phrase is essential. S essential phrase V Without the essential phrase, this sentence does not make complete sense : The people are so uptight!

The martini that I had at Joe’s was much better than this one! Key Concept: The word “that” almost always indicates an essential phrase or clause. S essential V The word “that” is almost always an indicator of an essential phrase or clause.

Sentence Structure: Nonessential Phrases and Clauses
A nonessential phrase or clause adds extra information to a sentence. This information can be eliminated from the sentence without jeopardizing the meaning of the sentence. Always place commas around nonessential phrases and clauses. Key Concepts: This slide illustrates the difference between essential and nonessential elements. While commas should not be placed around essential phrases and clauses, they should be placed around nonessential phrases and clauses.

My brother, who lives across town, plans to throw a party! Example: Nonessential phrases and clauses can be removed from sentences without jeopardizing the overall meaning of a sentence. In this example, “who lives across town” is superfluous information; it is not critical to the main message of the sentence—the woman’s brother will throw a party for her. S non-essential V Even without the phrase the sentence still makes sense : My brother plans to throw a party!

S V Example: This slide provides another example illustrating the placement of a nonessential phrase within a sentence. At the end of a sentence, the nonessential element should have a comma placed before it and a period after it. The facilitator may wish to stress that “which” often, but not always, indicates a nonessential phrase or clause. Steve said that he would propose to me on Valentine’s Day, which is my favorite holiday! non-essential Use commas to set off additional information

Would you place commas in the following sentences? If so, where?
I am planning a trip to Paris, which is one of the greatest cities in the world. I am planning a trip to Paris which is one of the greatest cities in the world. The place that I would most like to see is the Eiffel Tower. Activity: These examples allow participants an opportunity to test their comma skills. The first example needs a comma after “Paris” to set off the nonessential phrase. The second example requires no comma. The phrase “that I would most like to see” is essential to the meaning of the sentence. The sentence will not make sense without this essential phrase. The third example requires two commas, both before and after the nonessential phrase “who is one of my business contacts.” The main message of this sentence—that Pierre will meet this person at the airport—is clear without knowing the additional information about his identity. Click to reveal the comma placement for each example. No comma is needed. The sentence is correct. Pierre, who is one of my business contacts, will meet me at the airport. Pierre who is one of my business contacts will meet me at the airport.

Sentence Structure: Commas in a Series
Place commas in a sentence to divide items in a list. The commas will help the reader to avoid confusion. The comma before the conjunction is generally required, but it can be omitted if there is no possibility of confusion. Key Concept: Commas should be placed between each element within a list. This placement can help the reader to avoid confusion.

Consider the difference in the following: Last month, Alex dated Mary Ann Lee and Kim. Last month, Alex dated Mary, Ann, Lee, and Kim. Last month, Alex dated Mary Ann, Lee, and Kim. Activity: These examples illustrate the importance of comma placement within a list. The facilitator may ask students to answer the question “How many women did Alex date?” in accordance with each example—two women in the first, four in the second, and three in the third. Click to reveal each example. How many women did Alex date?

Commas should be placed in series of words, phrases, or clauses. Place commas in the following sentences: Martina brushed her hair, put on her pajamas, and went to bed. Martina brushed her hair put on her pajamas and went to bed. Activity: The facilitator may stress to participants that a series includes a list of words, but it can also include a list of phrases or clauses. This exercise allows participants to determine when the commas should be placed in each sentence. Click to reveal commas for each sentence. She fell asleep and dreamed that she was a princess, she kissed a frog, and she rescued her prince. She fell asleep and dreamed that she was a princess she kissed a frog and she rescued her prince.

Commas with adjectives
Use commas to separate adjectives that provide an equal description of a noun. THE TEST: Can you put “and” between the adjectives? Can they be described in reverse order? If so, use a comma. Key Concepts: Students often find comma placement between adjectives to be tricky. The key is to determine if the adjectives are equal—meaning that they modify the noun in the same capacity. Adjectives of size and quantity are generally considered to be unequal to adjectives of character or quality. Placing “and” between adjectives or reversing the order of adjectives are good tests to determine if a comma is needed. big blue house three hungry kittens a cranky, ungrateful man

A Common Comma Error: The Comma Splice
A comma splice is an error in which two independent clauses are joined by a comma. We had a nice time, I hope we can meet again soon. S V S V Key Concepts: One of the most prevalent comma errors is the comma splice—the placement of a comma between two independent clauses. The Internet has revolutionized the business world, S V online sales have increased dramatically this year. S V

To Correct a Comma Splice
Insert a conjunction between the two independent clauses. Start a new sentence. Insert a semi-colon between the two independent clauses (only in cases where the independent clauses are closely related in topic). Key Concepts: This slide enumerates several methods for correcting comma splices. The examples listed here are corrections of the comma splices in the previous slide. We had a nice time, and I hope we can meet again soon. We had a nice time. I hope we can meet again soon. The Internet has revolutionized the business world; online sales have increased dramatically this year.

The Colon: a sentence gateway
The colon comes at a point in the sentence where the sentence could come to a complete stop. I’m going to tell you the names of my favorite breakfast foods. We could even put a period after the word “foods,” couldn’t we? In fact, we did.

We know, however, what’s going to come after this period. I’m going to tell you the names of my favorite breakfast foods. That’s right, a LIST of breakfast foods.

I’m going to tell you the names of my favorite breakfast foods: meuslix, cornflakes, oatmeal, grits and gravy, and yogurt on toast. And the proper punctuation mark to set off this list from what precedes it is a colon. The colon “announces” that a list is about to follow; it is the gateway to that list.

My favorite breakfast foods are meuslix, cornflakes, oatmeal, grits and gravy, and yogurt on toast. Would I use a colon in the sentence above? No, because the sentence does not come to a halt here. Instead, the sentence flows right into the list. A colon would not be appropriate here.

Examine this next sentence carefully. Our math tutor wants just one thing from us that we try our best. Here, we have an independent thought (ending with “us”). followed by another kind of completer (a noun clause).

To set off this completer, this explanation, we can use a colon. Our math tutor wants just one thing from us: that we try our best. These are the two main uses of the colon: to set off a list or an explanation that we know is about to follow the main part of the sentence.

We also use the colon to set off a formal quotation. My father was always using his favorite quotation from Yogi Berra: “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

Just remember that you usually know what is going to follow a colon: a list, an explanation, or a formal quotation. CONGRATULATIONS! You have now mastered the uses of the colon, a very handy device in the punctuation of your sentences.

This PowerPoint presentation was created by
Charles Darling, PhD Professor of English and Webmaster Capital Community College Hartford, Connecticut copyright November 1999

Our Friend, the Semicolon
1

Let’s begin with a simple sentence: Grandma stays up too late. 2

Now let’s expand on that a bit: Grandma stays up too late. She’s afraid she’s going to miss something. This is OK. Two independent ideas, separated by a period. 3

What if we try to combine the two ideas? Grandma stays up too late, she’s afraid she’s going to miss something. Something’s wrong. We connected two independent clauses with only a comma. The dreaded COMMA SPLICE! 4

We could insert a coordinating conjunction: Grandma is afraid she’ll miss something, so she stays up too late. This is better! Note the comma that accompanies the coordinating conjunction. 5

We could also try subordinating one of these ideas: Grandma stays up too late because she’s afraid she’s going to miss something. Notice that the comma disappeared. One idea (the second one) now depends on the other; it has become a dependent clause. 6

But let’s try something else. ENTER THE SEMICOLON ! 7

Let’s try using a semicolon in this sentence. Grandma stays up too late; she’s afraid she’s going to miss something. Notice there is no conjunction used with this semicolon – either subordinating or coordinating. Just the semicolon, all by itself. 8

Sometimes semicolons are accompanied by conjunctive adverbs – words such as however, moreover, therefore, nevertheless, consequently, as a result. Grandma is afraid she’s going to miss something; as a result, she stays up too late. 9

Notice the pattern: ; as a result, semicolon + conjunctive adverb + comma This is a typical construction with semicolons. 10

There is one other use of the semicolon: to help us sort out monster lists, like this one: The committee included Peter Wursthorn, Professor of Mathematics, from Marlborough, Connecticut, Virginia Villa, Professor of English, from Hartford, Connecticut, Paul Creech, Director of Rad-Tech, from Essex, Connecticut, and Joan Leach, Professor of Nursing, from Farmington, Connecticut. 11

Be careful where you insert semicolons in this sentence. The committee included Peter Wursthorn, Professor of Mathematics, from Marlborough, Connecticut; Virginia Villa, Professor of English, from Hartford, Connecticut ; Paul Creech, Director of Rad-Tech, from Essex, Connecticut ; and Joan Leach, Professor of Nursing, from Farmington, Connecticut. 12

Now you know everything you’ll ever need to know about using semicolons! CONGRATULATIONS 13

This PowerPoint presentation was created by
Charles Darling, PhD Professor of English and Webmaster Capital Community College Hartford, Connecticut copyright November 1999

QUOTATION MARKS are used around direct quotations of someone’s words, whether spoken or written: “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,” wrote Robert Frost.

QUOTATION MARKS are used around the titles of short works—articles, short stories, songs, book chapters, and poems: “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,” wrote Robert Frost at the beginning of his poem “The Road Not Taken.”

QUOTATION MARKS are used to set off words used as words:
The words “affect” and “effect” are often confused with each other.

QUOTATION MARKS follow a set pattern when they are used for quotations within quotations. Begin with double quotation marks, then shift to single, and for quotations within quotations within quotations, shift back to double: “Oh, no! I just heard Dr. Willoughby say, ‘And now I shall recite Hamlet’s famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy.’”

QUOTATION MARKS Follow set patterns when used with other marks of punctuation. Commas and periods are always placed inside end quotation marks: “Hand over all your money,” said the mugger, “or I’ll shoot.”

QUOTATION MARKS Semicolons and colons are always placed outside end quotation marks: Senator Simpson wrote, “I regret that illness makes it impossible for me to attend your fundraising banquet”; he added, however, “I am enclosing a small check as a donation to your most worthy cause.” Some people think that writing personal ads for online dating has become a new sort of “art form”: it takes just as much craft and talent as painting a self-portrait, according to them.

QUOTATION MARKS Question marks are placed either outside or inside, depending on whether the question or exclamation is part of the quotation: “Now that I’ve finished my homework, can I play videogames?” Have you heard the old saying that you should “Look before you leap”?

QUOTATION MARKS Exclamation points also go either inside or outside, depending on whether they’re part of the exclamation: “You never want me to play video games, even though I’ve already finished my homework!” “What a stupid thing to say—“Look before you leap”!

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