The Confounding The Confounding CommaComma

““Punctuation is ‘a Punctuation is ‘a courtesy designed to courtesy designed to

help readers to help readers to understand a story understand a story

without stumbling.’”without stumbling.’”--Lynne Truss--Lynne Truss

Why the comma?Why the comma?

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

What do we KNOW What do we KNOW about the comma?about the comma?

What do we WANT to What do we WANT to know?know?

The Comma – a great mystery or a great The Comma – a great mystery or a great misunderstanding?misunderstanding?

Look at the following sentences and phrases and Look at the following sentences and phrases and explain what they mean—what do they imply?explain what they mean—what do they imply?

1) Alexander, the great ruled and conquered.1) Alexander, the great ruled and conquered.Alexander the great ruled and conquered.Alexander the great ruled and conquered.2) No dogs please2) No dogs pleaseNo dogs, pleaseNo dogs, please3) My favorite foods are ice cream, chocolate, steak 3) My favorite foods are ice cream, chocolate, steak

and potatoes.and potatoes.My favorite foods are ice cream, chocolate, steak, and My favorite foods are ice cream, chocolate, steak, and

potatoes.potatoes.4) Nia Vardalos was in a Big, Fat, Greek Wedding.4) Nia Vardalos was in a Big, Fat, Greek Wedding.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.5) Teachers, who are mean, love red pens.Teachers who are mean love red pens.Teachers who are mean love red pens.

6) Casey walked on her head, a little higher than6) Casey walked on her head, a little higher thanusual.usual.Casey Walked on, her head a little higher than Casey Walked on, her head a little higher than

usual.usual.7) The driver managed to escape the car before it7) The driver managed to escape the car before itsank and swam to shore.sank and swam to shore.The driver managed to escape the car, before it The driver managed to escape the car, before it

sank,sank,and swam to shore.and swam to shore.8) Don’t guess, use a timer or watch.8) Don’t guess, use a timer or watch.Don’t guess. Use a timer or watch.Don’t guess. Use a timer or watch.9) The convict, said the judge, was mad.9) The convict, said the judge, was mad.The convict said the judge was mad.The convict said the judge was mad.10) Mother, three sons die in car wreck10) Mother, three sons die in car wreckMother and three sons die in car wreck.Mother and three sons die in car wreck.

RULE # 1: Commas for RULE # 1: Commas for listslists

Examples: Examples: – ““I’m scared of lions, tigers and bears.”I’m scared of lions, tigers and bears.”– Kevin Smith created “Mallrats,” “Clerks,” Kevin Smith created “Mallrats,” “Clerks,”

“Chasing Amy,” “Jay and Silent Bob Strike “Chasing Amy,” “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” “Dogma,” and “Jersey Girl.”Back,” “Dogma,” and “Jersey Girl.”

List BasicsList Basics– Comma is correct here if it can be Comma is correct here if it can be

replaced by replaced by andand or or oror..– The comma before the “and” at the end of The comma before the “and” at the end of

the list is neither correct nor incorrect – it the list is neither correct nor incorrect – it is up for debate.is up for debate.

The “Oxford Comma” – i.e. – “ Red, white, and The “Oxford Comma” – i.e. – “ Red, white, and blue” blue”

……More Rule # 1More Rule # 1

With a list of adjectives, rules With a list of adjectives, rules remain the same; A comma remain the same; A comma replaces an replaces an and and or an or an oror if the if the adjectives are all modifying the adjectives are all modifying the same thing to the same degree same thing to the same degree (must be intended as a list)(must be intended as a list)

– Ex. It was a dark, stormy night (correct)Ex. It was a dark, stormy night (correct)– Ex. It was an endangered white rhino Ex. It was an endangered white rhino

(correct)(correct)

RULE # 2: Commas for RULE # 2: Commas for Joining Sentences Joining Sentences

Examples:Examples:– I like chocolate ice cream, but I like mint chip I like chocolate ice cream, but I like mint chip

ice cream more. ice cream more. – I was so sad when “Friends” ended, but now I I was so sad when “Friends” ended, but now I

can watch “Joey” every Thursday night.can watch “Joey” every Thursday night. Must use conjunction after comma to join Must use conjunction after comma to join

sentences. Conjunctions are sentences. Conjunctions are andand, , butbut, , yet,yet, and and oror..

Cannot conjoin sentences with a comma Cannot conjoin sentences with a comma when using words like when using words like however, however, nevertheless,nevertheless, and and therefore. therefore. In such cases In such cases a period or semi-colon should be used—but a period or semi-colon should be used—but we’ll save that for another day… we’ll save that for another day…

……More of Rule # 2More of Rule # 2

What the heck is a “comma splice?” What the heck is a “comma splice?” – When sentences are joined without a When sentences are joined without a

conjunctionconjunction Ex. Zach Morris was special, he could talk to Ex. Zach Morris was special, he could talk to

the camera.the camera.

Some authors use it in their writing. Some authors use it in their writing. Word to the wise: don’t do it unless Word to the wise: don’t do it unless you’re famous. (hint: none of you are you’re famous. (hint: none of you are famous)famous)

RULE # 3: Comma for RULE # 3: Comma for filling gapsfilling gaps Example: Annie had dark hair; Example: Annie had dark hair;

Sally, black.Sally, black. Not very commonNot very common

RULE # 4: Commas RULE # 4: Commas Before Direct SpeechBefore Direct Speech Example: The teacher asked, “Is Example: The teacher asked, “Is

anyone paying attention?”anyone paying attention?” ‘‘Nuff SaidNuff Said

RULE # 5: Commas RULE # 5: Commas Setting off Introductory Setting off Introductory ElementsElements

Interjections. Examples: Interjections. Examples: – Crikey, did you see the size of that Crikey, did you see the size of that

crocodile?crocodile?– Stop, or I’ll scream!Stop, or I’ll scream!

Dependent ClausesDependent Clauses– Example: Example: Although I love playing Although I love playing

soccersoccer, I find running tedious and , I find running tedious and boring.boring.

……More of Rule # 5More of Rule # 5

Prepositional & Verbal PhrasesPrepositional & Verbal Phrases– Example: Example: To write wellTo write well, one must , one must

read a lot.read a lot.– HOWEVER…when phrase serves as HOWEVER…when phrase serves as

subject, no comma is necessary. subject, no comma is necessary. EXAMPLE: EXAMPLE: Laughing out loudLaughing out loud can can

release tension.release tension.

RULE # 6: Commas in RULE # 6: Commas in PairsPairs Setting aside non-essential info (depends on Setting aside non-essential info (depends on

desired meaning) desired meaning) – Actors, who have inflated egos, are often insecure.Actors, who have inflated egos, are often insecure.– Actors who have inflated egos are often insecure.Actors who have inflated egos are often insecure.

Transitional Phrases in the middle of a Transitional Phrases in the middle of a sentencesentence– Example: Commas, Example: Commas, for examplefor example, are excellent to , are excellent to

use.use. Titles or DegreesTitles or Degrees

– Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, was one crazy dude.Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, was one crazy dude.– Ross Geller, Ph. D., was my least favorite “Friend.”Ross Geller, Ph. D., was my least favorite “Friend.”

RULE # 7: Don’t Be RULE # 7: Don’t Be StupidStupid

If you remember nothing else, remember this If you remember nothing else, remember this rule!rule!

Being intelligent individuals, use your intellect Being intelligent individuals, use your intellect when you are unsure about using commas. This when you are unsure about using commas. This means PROOF-READING.means PROOF-READING.– If your reason for using a comma is ever “it If your reason for using a comma is ever “it

just seems like there should be a comma just seems like there should be a comma there,” chuck the comma. there,” chuck the comma.

Remember that punctuation is a way of helping a Remember that punctuation is a way of helping a reader through one’s writing. Commas help a reader through one’s writing. Commas help a reader to recognize emphasis, among other reader to recognize emphasis, among other things, in a sentence. So, if a comma helps things, in a sentence. So, if a comma helps clarify a sentence, use it. clarify a sentence, use it.

REVIEW of RULESREVIEW of RULES

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

Returning to the Returning to the KWL…KWL…

What did I LEARN?What did I LEARN?

Reflection…Reflection…

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

Extra Credit/HomeworkExtra Credit/Homework

E.C. - Find and bring in an example of E.C. - Find and bring in an example of ambiguous or incorrect comma usage ambiguous or incorrect comma usage (from t.v., newspapers, magazine, (from t.v., newspapers, magazine, billboard, etc.) billboard, etc.) OROR create your own create your own sentence or phrase that can be sentence or phrase that can be ambiguous according to where commas ambiguous according to where commas are or are not placed are or are not placed

Regular Homework:Regular Homework: Don’t misuse Don’t misuse commas on future assignments…ever.commas on future assignments…ever.

Written and Directed byWritten and Directed by

Miss AlexanderMiss Alexander

Produced byProduced by

JMA StudiosJMA Studios

StarringStarring(In Order of Appearance)(In Order of Appearance)

The Comma The Comma HimselfHimself Teacher Teacher Miss Alexander Miss AlexanderSuper 7 RulesSuper 7 Rules Themselves Themselves

Special Thanks toSpecial Thanks to

Lynne Truss, author ofLynne Truss, author ofEats, Shoots and LeavesEats, Shoots and Leaves

No Pandas were hurt in theNo Pandas were hurt in theMaking of this presentation.Making of this presentation.