1. Commas!
By Ms. Kiernan 

2. Why are commas so important?

3. Rule #1: To separate items in a series.
When you are listing items or adjectives, separate each with a comma.
Ex: The bird flapped its wings, sang a song, and flew away.
Ex: The man was tall, dark, and handsome.

4. Rule #2: To address a person directly.
Always put a comma after the name of a person you are addressing.
Ex: Donna, would you get the door?

5. Rule #3: To separate an introductory phrase.
Always put a comma after an introductory expression that doesn’t flow smoothly into the sentence.
Ex: Looking up from her magazine, she smiled at me across the room.

6. Rule #4: To separate a dependent clause from an independent clause in a complex sentence.
Put a comma after the dependent clause in a complex sentence.
Ex: Since you were sick, I made chicken soup.

7. Rule #5: To set off an appositive phrase.
Use commas on both sides of an appositive to show that it is non-essential information that does not change the main idea of the sentence.
Ex: The woman, the one with blonde hair, was reading a book.

8. Rule #6: To set off geographical names and items in dates.
On March 26, 1874, Robert Frost was born.

9. Rule #7: To set off or end a quotation.
Ex.) The teacher said, “Always study your grammar!”
Ex.) “Always study your grammar,” said the teacher.

10. Rule #8: To join the two clauses of a compound sentence.
Put a comma before a FANBOYS when it connects two sentences.
Ex: I had planned to come, but I have changed my mind.
Sean went to the party; however, he couldn’t stay for long.

11. Rule #9: Avoid Comma Splices
NEVER use only a comma to join two complete sentences together.
Ex.) Everyone needs a Samsung, it is the best phone ever.
Add in a conjunction instead.
Better example: Everyone needs a Samsung because it is the best phone ever.

12. Avoiding Comma Splices
Re-write the following sentences to fix the comma splice:
Winter is here, it is my favorite season.
John is always late for work, he sleeps too late.

13. Practice
Pg. 254, #1-5
Write the word before each missing comma and add the comma. There are 7 in total.

14. Practice
Pg. 258, #1-10
Write the word before each missing comma and add the comma. Write “Correct” if no commas are needed.