The Confounding Comma

1. The Confounding Comma “Punctuation is ‘a courtesy designed to help readers to understand a story without stumbling.’” --Lynne Truss

2. Why the comma? A Panda walks into a café. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and fires two shots in the air. “Why did you do that?” asks the confused waiter, as the panda makes towards the exit. The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over his shoulder. “I’m a panda,” he says, at the door. “Look it up.” The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds an explanation. “Panda. Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots and leaves.”

3. What do we KNOW about the comma? • What do we WANT to know?

4. The Comma – a great mystery or a great misunderstanding? • Look at the following sentences and phrases and explain what they mean—what do they imply? 1) Alexander, the great ruled and conquered. Alexander the great ruled and conquered. 2) No dogs please No dogs, please 3) My favorite foods are ice cream, chocolate, steak and potatoes. My favorite foods are ice cream, chocolate, steak, and potatoes. 4) Nia Vardalos was in a Big, Fat, Greek Wedding. Nia Vardalos was in a Big Fat Greek Wedding. 5) Teachers, who are mean, love red pens. Teachers who are mean love red pens.

5. 6) Casey walked on her head, a little higher than usual. Casey Walked on, her head a little higher than usual. 7) The driver managed to escape the car before it sank and swam to shore. The driver managed to escape the car, before it sank, and swam to shore. 8) Don’t guess, use a timer or watch. Don’t guess. Use a timer or watch. 9) The convict, said the judge, was mad. The convict said the judge was mad. 10) Mother, three sons die in car wreck Mother and three sons die in car wreck.

6. RULE # 1: Commas for lists • Examples: • “I’m scared of lions, tigers and bears.” • Kevin Smith created “Mallrats,” “Clerks,” “Chasing Amy,” “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” “Dogma,” and “Jersey Girl.” • List Basics • Comma is correct here if it can be replaced by and or or. • The comma before the “and” at the end of the list is neither correct nor incorrect – it is up for debate. • The “Oxford Comma” – i.e. – “ Red, white, and blue”

7. …More Rule # 1 • With a list of adjectives, rules remain the same; A comma replaces an and or an or if the adjectives are all modifying the same thing to the same degree (must be intended as a list) • Ex. It was a dark, stormy night (correct) • Ex. It was an endangered white rhino (correct)

8. RULE # 2: Commas for Joining Sentences • Examples: • I like chocolate ice cream, but I like mint chip ice cream more. • I was so sad when “Friends” ended, but now I can watch “Joey” every Thursday night. • Must use conjunction after comma to join sentences. Conjunctions are and, but, yet, and or. • Cannot conjoin sentences with a comma when using words like however, nevertheless, and therefore. In such cases a period or semi-colon should be used—but we’ll save that for another day…

9. …More of Rule # 2 • What the heck is a “comma splice?” • When sentences are joined without a conjunction • Ex. Zach Morris was special, he could talk to the camera. • Some authors use it in their writing. Word to the wise: don’t do it unless you’re famous. (hint: none of you are famous)

10. RULE # 3: Comma for filling gaps • Example: Annie had dark hair; Sally, black. • Not very common

11. RULE # 4: Commas Before Direct Speech • Example: The teacher asked, “Is anyone paying attention?” • ‘Nuff Said

12. RULE # 5: Commas Setting off Introductory Elements • Interjections. Examples: • Crikey, did you see the size of that crocodile? • Stop, or I’ll scream! • Dependent Clauses • Example: Although I love playing soccer, I find running tedious and boring.

13. …More of Rule # 5 • Prepositional & Verbal Phrases • Example: To write well, one must read a lot. • HOWEVER…when phrase serves as subject, no comma is necessary. • EXAMPLE: Laughing out loud can release tension.

14. RULE # 6: Commas in Pairs • Setting aside non-essential info (depends on desired meaning) • Actors, who have inflated egos, are often insecure. • Actors who have inflated egos are often insecure. • Transitional Phrases in the middle of a sentence • Example: Commas, for example, are excellent to use. • Titles or Degrees • Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, was one crazy dude. • Ross Geller, Ph. D., was my least favorite “Friend.”

15. RULE # 7: Don’t Be Stupid • If you remember nothing else, remember this rule! • Being intelligent individuals, use your intellect when you are unsure about using commas. This means PROOF-READING. • If your reason for using a comma is ever “it just seems like there should be a comma there,” chuck the comma. • Remember that punctuation is a way of helping a reader through one’s writing. Commas help a reader to recognize emphasis, among other things, in a sentence. So, if a comma helps clarify a sentence, use it.

16. REVIEW of RULES • # 1 – Lists • # 2 – Joining Sentences • # 3 – Filling Gaps • # 4 – Before Direct Speech • # 5 – Setting off Introductory Elements • # 6 – Commas in Pairs • # 7 – Don’t be Stupid

17. Returning to the KWL… • What did I LEARN?

18. Reflection… • Write ½ page telling me what you thought of about what we did today. Did you learn anything? Did you think it was boring? Fun? Interesting? Basically just give me your honest opinion of the lesson. Give explanation for your answers. (It’s not enough to say, “I thought it was awesome!” You have to say WHY.)

19. Extra Credit/Homework • E.C. - Find and bring in an example of ambiguous or incorrect comma usage (from t.v., newspapers, magazine, billboard, etc.) OR create your own sentence or phrase that can be ambiguous according to where commas are or are not placed • Regular Homework: Don’t misuse commas on future assignments…ever.

20. Written and Directed by Miss Alexander Produced by JMA Studios Starring (In Order of Appearance) The Comma Himself Teacher Miss Alexander Super 7 Rules Themselves Special Thanks to Lynne Truss, author of Eats, Shoots and Leaves No Pandas were hurt in the Making of this presentation.