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 Write two sentences. THEN take those sentences 
and connect them into a larger sentence with a 
coordinating conjunction. 
 Write a sentence using three or more coordinate 
elements. 
 Write a sentence using commas and nonrestrictive 
elements. 
 Write a sentence that connects a dependent clause 
to an independent clause correctly. 
 Write a sentence using a transitional word or 
phrase.
Quiz Answers 
 Link To Quiz: 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1X8olw0bfjEAoddyTBPSEqrqw9L8IQMpO4rcL35XsxXQ/
 Write two sentences. THEN take those sentences 
and connect them into a larger sentence with a 
coordinating conjunction.
Commas! 
 Commas are a primary divider. 
 Commas are used when linking two independent 
clauses. 
 A coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, yet, 
so) links the clauses together after the comma. 
 The house approved the bill, but the senate rejected 
it. 
 See wiki for complex sentence creation chart and 
definitions for each coordinating conjunction. 
 CC Podcast 
http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/weird-
Time Out! 
 Pause. 
 Take a breath! 
 Questions?!
 Write a sentence using three or more coordinate 
elements.
Coordinate Elements! 
 Use commas when you are dealing with a series of 
three or more coordinate elements. 
 These are elements that are joined by a 
coordinating conjunction. 
 You may pay by check, with a credit card, or in 
cash. 
 If there is already a comma in the sentence, use a 
semicolon! 
 Remember what Professor Wend said about BCC's 
plagarism policy back on day one?
 Write a sentence using commas and nonrestrictive 
elements.
Nonrestrictive Elements 
· Use commas to set off nonrestrictive elements, 
also known as paranthetical expressions, which 
supply information that is not essential to the meaning 
of a sentence. 
· Robert Coover, who spoke at the symposium last 
year, has a new novel out. 
· It is supplemental information! 
· When using nonrestrictive elements, you will also 
use which instead of that (see pronouns). 
· He ran for the bus, which was late as usual. 
· The house, which is blue, sold quickly. 
· Versus... 
· The house that is blue sold quickly.
Commas & Coordinate Adjectives 
 In a list ending with "and" use a comma before and 
to make sure people know it is part of the list. 
 The downtown area includes a bakery, a florist, a 
small supermarket with an excellent butcher, and a 
bookstore. 
 Coordinating adjectives need a comma unless 
they are joined by a conjunction already. 
 She brushed her long, shining, hair. 
 The baby was tired and cranky and wet. (no comma 
needed)
Time Out! 
 Pause. 
 Take a breath! 
 Questions?!
 Write a sentence that connects a dependent clause 
to an independent clause correctly.
Introductory Elements! 
 A dependent clause that offsets the rest of a 
sentence is normally offset by a comma. 
 When war came to Baghdad, many victims were 
children. 
 If it is short, again, you may omit the comma. 
 Use your best judgment whether the sentence will 
still be clear. 
 When I exercise I drink plenty of water. 
(I might keep the comma. What do you think?)
 Write a sentence using a transitional word or 
phrase.
Transitional Words! 
Transitional words or phrases will be set off by a 
comma. 
 However, any plan enacted must be fair. 
 During the Depression, movie attendance rose. 
 First, plan your process analysis essay.
 Pause. 
 Take a breath! 
 Questions?!
Final Thoughts... 
· When dealing with quotes, commas go INSIDE the 
quotes. 
· Jackson's work, "detailed and important,” according 
to Hayles, is the topic of today's lecture. <--comma 
goes inside quote 
· Same with dialouge 
· ”Further,” she said, ”I am sick of his crap!” 
· See wiki for more information about dates, titles, 
places, and addresses.
Look For Clues 
 Look for an independent clause 
- Do you see two independent clauses? 
- One independent, one dependent 
 Parentheticals 
 Lists of elements 
 Be consistent in your comma usage
Supplemental Material 
 Grammar Girl Episode 356 has nice general 
audience comments about commas. 
 Episode 371 has a lot about avoiding the comma 
splice. 
 Grammar Girl has also discussed serial commas 
(she agrees with me).

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Commas

  • 1.  Write two sentences. THEN take those sentences and connect them into a larger sentence with a coordinating conjunction.  Write a sentence using three or more coordinate elements.  Write a sentence using commas and nonrestrictive elements.  Write a sentence that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause correctly.  Write a sentence using a transitional word or phrase.
  • 2. Quiz Answers  Link To Quiz: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1X8olw0bfjEAoddyTBPSEqrqw9L8IQMpO4rcL35XsxXQ/
  • 3.  Write two sentences. THEN take those sentences and connect them into a larger sentence with a coordinating conjunction.
  • 4. Commas!  Commas are a primary divider.  Commas are used when linking two independent clauses.  A coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, yet, so) links the clauses together after the comma.  The house approved the bill, but the senate rejected it.  See wiki for complex sentence creation chart and definitions for each coordinating conjunction.  CC Podcast http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/weird-
  • 5. Time Out!  Pause.  Take a breath!  Questions?!
  • 6.  Write a sentence using three or more coordinate elements.
  • 7. Coordinate Elements!  Use commas when you are dealing with a series of three or more coordinate elements.  These are elements that are joined by a coordinating conjunction.  You may pay by check, with a credit card, or in cash.  If there is already a comma in the sentence, use a semicolon!  Remember what Professor Wend said about BCC's plagarism policy back on day one?
  • 8.  Write a sentence using commas and nonrestrictive elements.
  • 9. Nonrestrictive Elements · Use commas to set off nonrestrictive elements, also known as paranthetical expressions, which supply information that is not essential to the meaning of a sentence. · Robert Coover, who spoke at the symposium last year, has a new novel out. · It is supplemental information! · When using nonrestrictive elements, you will also use which instead of that (see pronouns). · He ran for the bus, which was late as usual. · The house, which is blue, sold quickly. · Versus... · The house that is blue sold quickly.
  • 10. Commas & Coordinate Adjectives  In a list ending with "and" use a comma before and to make sure people know it is part of the list.  The downtown area includes a bakery, a florist, a small supermarket with an excellent butcher, and a bookstore.  Coordinating adjectives need a comma unless they are joined by a conjunction already.  She brushed her long, shining, hair.  The baby was tired and cranky and wet. (no comma needed)
  • 11. Time Out!  Pause.  Take a breath!  Questions?!
  • 12.  Write a sentence that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause correctly.
  • 13. Introductory Elements!  A dependent clause that offsets the rest of a sentence is normally offset by a comma.  When war came to Baghdad, many victims were children.  If it is short, again, you may omit the comma.  Use your best judgment whether the sentence will still be clear.  When I exercise I drink plenty of water. (I might keep the comma. What do you think?)
  • 14.  Write a sentence using a transitional word or phrase.
  • 15. Transitional Words! Transitional words or phrases will be set off by a comma.  However, any plan enacted must be fair.  During the Depression, movie attendance rose.  First, plan your process analysis essay.
  • 16.  Pause.  Take a breath!  Questions?!
  • 17. Final Thoughts... · When dealing with quotes, commas go INSIDE the quotes. · Jackson's work, "detailed and important,” according to Hayles, is the topic of today's lecture. <--comma goes inside quote · Same with dialouge · ”Further,” she said, ”I am sick of his crap!” · See wiki for more information about dates, titles, places, and addresses.
  • 18. Look For Clues  Look for an independent clause - Do you see two independent clauses? - One independent, one dependent  Parentheticals  Lists of elements  Be consistent in your comma usage
  • 19. Supplemental Material  Grammar Girl Episode 356 has nice general audience comments about commas.  Episode 371 has a lot about avoiding the comma splice.  Grammar Girl has also discussed serial commas (she agrees with me).

Editor's Notes

  1. If you have a business with multiple names (a law firm), do not add a comma before the final name. The law firm of Rosenberg, Summers and Giles took the case.