1. Commas

2. 1. Use a comma before the conjunction (and, for, but, or, nor, so) that joins the two independent clauses in a compound sentence.
Examples:
A) I like working outside, and I also enjoy reading.
B) He got out of school early, so he took a nap.

3. Use a comma after introductory phrases or subordinate clauses.
Example:
A) In order to be successful, one must learn to write well.
B) After she learned the rules for using commas, her grades improved.
***A comma should NOT be used when the clause or phrase comes at the END of the sentence.***
Example B Rewritten: Her grades improved after she learned to use commas correctly. - no comma!

4. Use commas to separate items in a series.
Examples:
A) Amy ordered two hamburgers, a Coke, and fries.
B) We learned about Shakespeare, commas, and poetry.

5. Use commas before and after parts of the sentence that provide info not important in order to understand the sentence.
Example:
Horace Mann Elementary, which is the smallest school in the district, enrolls only 160 students.
The Catcher in the Rye, my favorite book ever, was added to the reading list.

6. Use commas between coordinate adjectives that modify the same noun
Use commas between coordinate adjectives that modify the same noun. A great way to remember this rule is if you can place “and” between the adjectives, then put a comma there.
Example:
The football field turned into a slippery, wet mess.
We had a big, steaming plate of food on the table.

7. Use commas to separate the elements of dates and places.
Example:
The date was June 12, 2012.
On January 8, 2018, she reported back to work.
He was born in Jackson, Mississippi.
In London, England, they drive on the other side of the road.

8. Use a comma before a direct quotation.
Example:
A) When asked if he had studied for the test, Paul said, “Yeah sort of.”
B) Darth Vader said, “No, I am your father.”

9. Use commas before and after words and phrases like HOWEVER and REGARDLESS that serve as interrupters.
Example:
Adam did not like math. He was, however, very successful in his math classes.
She really disliked Geography but, regardless, she still had a test to study for.

10. Comma Quiz There are eight comma rules.
Write down 1 sample sentence for each rule I assign you.
I will call on you to read this aloud in 5 minutes.
When you read it out loud, say, “Comma” where there is one.

11. There will be a more detailed quiz on comma usage NEXT CLASS!
Comma Quiz
There will be a more detailed quiz on comma usage NEXT CLASS!