1. Commas Da, da, dum, dum, duuum!!
This set of slides will illustrate the most common uses of one of the most common punctuation marks:
THE COMMA

2. Comma Rule #4 (Ice Tong Rule)
Sometimes, authors include a clause that is non-essential to the main idea of the sentence. Non-essential clauses should be surrounded with commas.
President Bush, who had never visited New Orleans, toured the ravaged city.
Essential information: President Bush toured the ravaged city.
Non-essential information: President Bush had never visited New Orleans.

3. A good rule of thumb—when in doubt, lift it out!
Comma Rule #4, Continued
HINT: When determining where to place your commas, consider whether you could remove a clause from the sentence and keep the main idea.
Air Force One a Boeing-made 747 landed just south of Baton Rouge.
What’s essential/non-essential?
Do we need commas here? If so, where?
A good rule of thumb—when in doubt, lift it out!

4. Comma Rule #4 Practice
A good friend of mine Bill Harris asked that I join him for dinner on Friday.
Our yearly vacation scheduled to last six weeks has just begun.
My sister now retired lives in the San Francisco area.

5. Comma Rule #5
Use a comma to set off an introductory injection (words like well, yes, no).
Well, students should have the opportunity to sit where they want.
No, I really don’t want to go to the store this weekend.
Yes, the test will be scheduled for next week—study hard!

6. Comma Rule #5 Practice Well what’s your explanation?
No I did not give you permission to visit your friend this weekend.
Yes Mr. Jones, I’m ready.
Oh we didn’t expect to see you so soon.

7. Comma Rule #6
Use a comma after an introductory participial phrase. (-ing, -ed, -n)
What is a participle?
A participle is a verbal that is used as an adjective and most often ends in -ing or -ed. The term verbal indicates that a participle expresses action or a state of being. Participles function as adjectives and modify nouns or pronouns.
Giggling loudly, she turned bright red.
Shaken, he walked away from the wrecked car.

8. Comma Rule #6 Practice
Looking for help the man fell on his knees to beg.
Barking insistently Smokey got us to throw his ball for him.
Having decided to eat only natural foods he had to give up all of his favorite junk food snacks.
Broken by the news Millie ran home to seek comfort from her family.