1. Comma Rules Rule #1 Use commas to separate items in a series Ex. The camp counselor distributed baseballs, bats, volleyballs, tennis rackets, and t-shirts. We will have a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

2. Rule #2 Independent Clauses Use a comma before for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so (FAN-BOYS) when they join independent clauses. Ex. Patrick brought the sandwiches, and Cindy brought the salad.

3. Rule #3 Nonessential Clauses (& Phrases) Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and nonessential participial phrases Ex. Miko, who lives across the street from me, won a scholarship to UCLA.

4. Rule #4 Introductory Elements: use a comma after certain introductory elements Ex. Calling for a timeout, the referee blew his whistle. Ex. No, I haven ’ t taken the exam yet. Ex. By the moon ’ s light, I saw the secret entrance.

5. Rule #5 Interrupters: Use commas to set off elements that interrupt Ex. Sarah Palin, a politician from Alaska, was John McCain ’ s running mate. Ex. You are, I hope, planning to be on time.

6. Rule #6 Conventional Settings Use commas to separate items in dates and addresses (On Saturday, June 21, ) After the salutation/closing of a letter (Ex. (1) Dear Megan, (2) Sincerely,) Use commas to set off a name that has an abbreviation (Ex. Dr., Jr., M.D.,) E.g. Ken Griffey, Jr., could have broken Maris ’ record.

7. Rule #7 Unnecessary Commas Do not use unnecessary commas! This can be just as confusing as not having enough commas: On Friday, after school, my friend, Rita, and I played badminton at the house until her dog, Ruffles, a frisky, golden retriever got hit by a moving truck.

8. Rule #8 Use commas in between adjectives that describe the same word. Example: It was a beautiful, sunny, warm day. OR It was a beautiful, sunny, and warm day.

9. Rule #9 AVOID comma splices A comma splice is a sentence in which two independent clauses are joined by a comma with no conjunction. Use one of the following four techniques to correct a comma splice: Change the comma to a semicolon. Write the two clauses as separate sentences. Insert a coordinating conjunction following the comma. Make one clause dependent on the other.

10. Rule #9, cont’d Comma Splice:  Kristy forgot to set her alarm, she woke up forty minutes late. Let’s fix the comma splice! Change the comma to a semicolon: Write the two clauses as separate sentences: Insert a coordinating conjunction following the comma: Make one clause dependent on the other: