Commas

1. Commas

2. Literary Analysis Order • Rubric • Final Draft • Literary Analysis Packet • Outline (only intro and conclusion have to be complete) • Self and Peer Evaluation • Rough Draft

3. Items in a Series • Rule #1: Use commas to separate items in a series. • The camp counselor distributed baseballs, bats, volleyballs, tennis rackets, and bandages. • We have a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

4. Adjectives • Rule #2: Use commas to separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun. • I’ve had a long, hectic, tiring day. • Tip #1: When the last adjective is thought of as part of the noun, the comma before the adjective is omitted. • I mailed the package at the main post office. • For lunch we had smooth, creamy broccoli soup. • Tip #2: If a word modifies one of the adjectives preceding the noun, the word is an adverb, not an adjective, and therefore should not be followed by a comma. • Which of these neckties looks best with this light green shirt?

5. An independent clause is a group of words that can stand on its own as a complete sentence. Patrick brought the sandwiches. (IC) Mary went to school. (IC) When Sidney grows up. (NOT an IC!!!)

6. Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses. The following words are coordinating conjunctions. F or A nd N or B ut O r Y et S o To help remember these seven coordinating conjunctions, just remember that the first letter of each word can be arranged to spell FANBOYS.

7. Rule: Use a comma to separate two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. Example He was apprehensive, yet he was also excited. We got there on time, but Jeff and Maria were late. The bears failed to catch any salmon, so they went away.

8. Complete exercise 4 page 703. IC, cc IC.

9. Rule 1: Use a comma to set off nonessential clauses and nonessential phrases. Nonessential clauses and nonessential phrases provide information that is not necessary to the basic meaning of the sentence. In other words, Nonessential = Not important.

10. Examples: Emilia Ortiz, who lives across the street from me, won a scholarship to Stanford University. The capital of Massachusetts is Boston, which is sometimes called the Athens of America.

11. How do I know if information is nonessential (not important)? • Nonessential information can be omitted from the sentence without changing the main idea of the sentence. • Nonessential clauses and phrases are often (but not always) introduced by the pronoun which or who. • Essential clauses and phrases are often (but not always) introduced by the pronoun that.

12. Examples: The dog, which was white and brown, ate the steak. The dog that ate the steak sneaked away with his tail between his legs. The manager of the hotel, which was on Jefferson Avenue, had difficulty keeping a good staff. The manager of the hotel that burned down was fired.

13. Complete exercise 5 page 706. Nonessential = Not important = Use Commas Essential = Important = No Commas

14. Rule: Use a comma to set off an introductory element from the main clause. Examples Sure, I’ll go with you. Calling for a timeout, the referee blew his whistle and signaled. During the long bus ride home, we sang songs and told stories to amuse ourselves.

15. Tip: Some sentences contain more than one clause. Therefore, it is important to be able to determine which part of the sentence is the main clause (independent) and which is the supporting clause (dependent). In the sentences below, underline the main clause. After eating jelly donuts, John felt bloated. Before leaving for the airport, June checked her tickets and suitcase to make sure she had packed everything she would need. Having grown up in the feminist era, I did not now expect to hear comments about what is appropriate behavior for girls, boys, women, and men.

16. Some sentences contain more than one clause. Therefore, it is important to be able to determine which part of the sentence is the main clause (independent) and which is the supporting clause (dependent). In the sentences below, underline the main clause. After eating jelly donuts, John felt bloated. Before leaving for the airport, June checked her tickets and suitcase to make sure she had packed everything she would need. Having grown up in the feminist era, I did not now expect to hear comments about what is appropriate behavior for girls, boys, women, and men.

17. Complete exercise 6 page 709. Introductory element, IC.

18. Rule: Use a comma to set off interrupters, an expression that interrupts a sentence. Interrupters include the following. • Appositives • Words of Direct Address • Parenthetical Expressions

19. Appositives: a noun or noun phrase that gives more information about the noun it follows. Examples: Fido, a temperamental French poodle, was difficult to housetrain. Washington D.C., the capital of the United States, was built on marshlands near the Potomac River.

20. Words of Direct Address: the name or title used when the speaker is addressing someone directly. • Examples: • Excuse me,Becky, you must hand in your exam. • Mr. Skinner, please close the door.

21. Parenthetical Expressions: a side remark that adds information or shows a relationship between ideas. • Examples: • In fact, Emily Dickinson is my favorite poet. • You are, I hope, planning to arrive on time.

22. Complete review C page 713. , interrupter,

23. Rule: Use commas to separate items in dates and addresses. Example: On Saturday, June 21, 1999, Robert moved to Miami, Florida with his parents.

24. Rule: Use a comma after the salutation of a personal letter and after the closing of any letter. Examples: Dear Marcus, Sincerely,

25. Rule: Use a comma to set off an abbreviation, such as Jr., Sr., or M.D., that follows a person’s name. Examples: Elena Moreno, M.D. Russell E. Davis, Jr., has been elected mayor.

26. Complete exercise 8 page 716.

27. Rule: Do not use unnecessary commas. Common misuses of the comma include the following: • After coordinating conjunctions • He was apprehensive, yet, he was also excited. INCORRECT • He was apprehensive, yet he was also excited. CORRECT

28. Rule: Do not use unnecessary commas. Common misuses of the comma include the following: • After such, like, or as • Many household pets, such as, cats, fish, and guinea pigs, do not require much supervision. INCORRECT • Many household pets, such as cats, fish, and guinea pigs, do not require much supervision. CORRECT

29. Rule: Do not use unnecessary commas. Common misuses of the comma include the following: • Before than • Taking the ACT test is less stressful for most students, than taking the SAT. INCORRECT • Taking the ACT test is less stressful for most students than taking the SAT. CORRECT

30. Rule: Do not use unnecessary commas. Common misuses of the comma include the following: • After although • Although, John crammed all night for the math test, he did not pass. INCORRECT • Although John crammed all night for the math test, he did not pass. CORRECT

31. Rule: Do not use unnecessary commas. Common misuses of the comma include the following: • Before parentheses • Agatha Christie’s books, (which include many mystery classics) remain popular worldwide. INCORRECT • Agatha Christie’s books (which include many mystery classics) remain popular worldwide. CORRECT

32. Complete Review E page 717.

33. Rule: Use a semicolon between two independent clauses that are not joined by a coordinating conjunction. Examples Everyone else in my family excels in a particular sport; I seem to be the only exception. The river is rising rapidly; it is expected to crest by noon.

34. Rule: Use a semicolon between two independent clauses joined by conjunctive adverbs or transitional expressions. • The following are commonly used conjunctive adverbs and transitional expressions: • however • therefore • nevertheless • Besides • furthermore • accordingly • as a result • also • (there are more examples listed in your text book)

35. Examples Leonor is planning to become an engineer; however, she is also interested in graphic design. Only two people registered for pottery lessons; as a result, the class was cancelled.

36. Complete exercise 1 page 725

37. Rule: Use a semicolon between items in a series if the items contain commas.