1. Punctuation and Grammar
The Comma:
Punctuation and Grammar
Rhythm and Flow
Part II
Direct Address
Separate Adjectives
Interruptions
Appositives
Explanatory Phrases
Dialogue
Name: _____________________

2. Students will understand that the comma is a useful and necessary
Students will understand that using
commas will allow them to vary sentence
structure in their writing.
Students will understand that the
comma is a useful and necessary
punctuation mark with a wide variety
of grammatical functions.
Students will understand that
the comma allows the reader to
judge rhythm, direction, pace,
and flow of writing.

3. How can I use commas to create more interesting sentences?
How do writes vary
sentence structure?
How can I use commas to create
more interesting sentences?
How does the comma
allow readers to judge
rhythm, direction, pace,
and flow of writing?
Why is the comma
such a useful and necessary
punctuation mark?

4. Direct Address Lenny, I’ve been expecting you since Friday
Direct Address Lenny, I’ve been expecting you since Friday . We have been expecting you, Lenny. Of course, Lenny, we have been expecting you.
Rule
Use commas to separate a noun of direct address (the person being spoken to) from the rest of the sentence.

5. Direct Address
Three sentences you found
Three sentences you wrote

6. Separate Adjectives
The huge, furry dog chased him over the fence and into the pool.
Rule
Use commas to separate two or more adjectives that equally modify a noun.
EXAMPLE: There are plenty of nutritious, edible plants in the world.
(nutritious and edible are separated by a comma because they modify plants equally.
NO COMMA NEEDED EXAMPLE: We may eat many unusual plants in the years to come.
TESTS: Use one of these tests to see if the adjectives modify equally:
1.Switch the order of the adjectives. If the sentence is still clear, the adjectives modify equally.
2.Put the word and between the adjectives. If the sentence is clear, the adjectives modify equally.

7. Separate Adjectives Three sentences you found
Three sentences you wrote

8. Interruptions
Aunt Roselyn, of course, would not wear the parrot costume.
George, therefore, had to leave the drugstore in a hurry.
Rule
Use commas to set off a word, phrase, or clause that interrupts the main part of a sentence.
Words or phrases that you can use to interrupt main thoughts:
for example to be sure moreover
however as a matter of fact in fact
of course therefore specifically
Tests
1. Take out the word or phrase. The meaning of the sentence should not change.
2. Move the word or phrase to another part of the sentence. The meaning should not change.

9. Interruptions
Three sentences you found
Three sentences you wrote

10. Appositives Jen, the craziest kid in our class, scored the most points.
Rule
Use a comma to set off appositives. An appositive is a word or phrase that is another way of saying the noun or pronoun before it.
Mr. O’Neil, our history teacher, says that it is important to understand the U.S. Constitution.

11. Appositives
Three sentences you found
Three sentences you wrote

12. Explanatory Phrases Timothy, who lives in New York, has his own ice cream company.
Rule
Use a comma to set off an explanatory phrase from the rest of the sentence. (Explanatory means helping to explain.)
Ex: Sebastian, back from his visit to Florida, told us all about the trip.

13. Explanatory Phrases Three sentences you found
Three sentences you wrote

14. Dialogue Beginning Sentence “Today must be Tuesday,” she muttered.
Rule
Use a comma to set off the words of the speaker from the rest of the sentence.
If you are telling what someone said or thought but are not using the person’s exact words, do not use commas or quotation marks.
Jim told me long ago that he would move to California.

15. Dialogue Beginning
Three sentences you found
Three sentences you wrote

16. Dialogue Ending a Sentence Then he asked, “How did you get here without a balloon?”
Rule
Use a comma to set off the words of the speaker from the rest of the sentence.
If you are telling what someone said or thought but are not using the person’s exact words, do not use commas or quotation marks.
Jim told me long ago that he would move to California.

17. Dialogue at End
Three sentences you found
Three sentences you wrote

18. Vary Your Sentence Structure:. pages 428-438 Commas:
Vary Your Sentence Structure: pages Commas: pages Understanding Sentences: pages