1. WELCOME TO COMMA TIME! All you have ever wanted to know about commas…and more!

2. COMPOUND SENTENCES You are to use a comma before the conjunction that joins the two main clauses of a compound sentence. Example: Eighth grade students used to be untrained in writing, but now they are ready to master the ADAW.

3. PRACTICE 1.Mrs. Troncale is an English teacher and she loves to teach. 2.Mrs. Roberts is a teacher and Ms. Peck is a teacher. 3.I can read so can you. 4.My son got a train for Christmas but I got an I-phone.

4. Use commas to separate a series of three or more words. Example: I dropped my pencil, papers, and books. ITEMS IN A SERIES

5. COMMA – DAY,YEAR  Use a comma between the day and year.  Example: January 26, 1957

6. COMMA – CITY,STATE  Use a comma between the city or town and the state or country. Example: I visited Dublin, Ireland a few years ago.

7. PRACTICE 1.I was born in Birmingham AL. 2.Today on January 6 2011, you are learning about commas. 3.Last summer, I visited Venice Italy.

8.  Use a comma to separate introductory words like “yes” and “no” and mild interjections, including prepositional phrases.  Examples:  Oh, I heard that before.  Yes, I will be here.  In the book, the character is different. INTRODUCTORY WORDS

9. NOUNS OF DIRECT ADDRESS  Use a comma or commas to set off words or phrases used as nouns of direct address (nominatives of address).  Examples:  Joe, get over here.  Get over here, Joe.  Young man, get over here.

10. 1. Did you Susan see him at the meetings? 2. I will call you in the morning Steve. 3. After the play Fred thought they did a good job. 4. Oh you want to try my patience more. 5. No I didn't see you there. PRACTICE

11.  Use a comma after the greeting of a casual letter and the closing of a casual letter.  Example: Dear Anna,  Example: Love, Tom GREETING/CLOSING

12. EXPLANATORY WORDS  Use a comma to set off explanatory words with direct quotations.  Examples: Mrs. Troncale said, “Take out a piece of paper.” “Take out a piece of paper,” said Mrs. Troncale

13. 1.Dear Tom 2.Mrs. Troncale said “Good morning!” 3.Sincerely 4.“A rose” he said “means love.” PRACTICE

14.  Use commas to set off appositives, especially if the meaning of the sentence is clear without them.  EXAMPLE: One group, the American Nurses’ Association, admits only registered nurses. APPOSITIVES

15. Use commas between two or more adjectives of equal rank that modify the same noun. The adjectives are of equal rank if you can substitute the word “and” for the comma. Example : Mrs. Troncale is an intelligent, competent, well-trained teacher. ADJECTIVES

16. INTERRUPTERS  Use commas to set off a word or phrase that interrupts the flow of thought in a sentence.  Example: The stone provided, at long last, a key to hieroglyphics.