Comma Rules

From ThePlaz.com

Revision as of 21:15, 10 June 2007 by Ez3Bib (Talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search

cheap diazepam cheap xenical nokia ringtones qwest ringtones zanaflex online diazepam online verizon ringtones free motorola ringtones order lortab prozac online ericsson ringtones but ortho cheap cyclobenzaprine cheap celexa free ringtones phentermine free cool ringtones cheap prozac free qwest ringtones cialis online sprint ringtones nexium online real ringtones sagem ringtones tracfone ringtones free nokia ringtones free punk ringtones mp3 ringtones sony ringtones ativan online but hgh free midi ringtones alltel ringtones cheap flexeril sony ericsson ringtones motorola ringtones vicodin online free tracfone ringtones buy soma levitra online free motorola ringtones cheap didrex cheap sildenafil pharmacy online online zoloft online hydrocodone online free sony ringtones cingular ringtones viagra buy paxil ambien online buy lortab order hydrocodone vigrx online cheap ativan hgh online sildenafil online buy viagra ortho online nextel ringtones lisinopril free funny ringtones free sony ericsson ringtones buy vicodin hydrocodone order ativan mono ringtones clonazepam levitra free sprint ringtones cialis online sony ringtones cheap levitra zanaflex online phentermine celexa online ultracet online wwe ringtones free sharp ringtones buy norco soma online cheap ultracet free cingular ringtones cheap adipex cheap xenical cheap albuterol cheap tenuate cheap ortho free music ringtones sagem ringtones cheap lisinopril meridia online cheap propecia cheap vigrx cheap diethylpropion cheap albuterol mp3 ringtones meridia online free ringtones cheap ultram soma online cheap lortab cheap sildenafil free nextel ringtones cheap lorazepam free funny ringtones diethylpropion online free ringtones funny ringtones cingular ringtones cheap soma nokia ringtones clonazepam online zyban online clomid online buy prozac online valium order lisinopril meridia online buy tramadol sharp ringtones free midi ringtones flexeril online real ringtones celexa online zoloft online free nextel ringtones ericsson ringtones free music ringtones mtv ringtones order ultram buy valium viagra online lorazepam online cheap cialis cheap phentermine buy nexium samsung ringtones cheap norco meridia online sprint ringtones buy rivotril order carisoprodol carisoprodol online cyclobenzaprine online free qwest ringtones free qwest ringtones cheap fioricet verizon ringtones punk ringtones cheap hoodia pharmacy online online tracfone ringtones tramadol cheap rivotril tramadol online didrex online cheap fioricet music ringtones cheap albuterol free nokia ringtones buy viagra buy alprazolam buy xenical pharmacy online online free funny ringtones order zanaflex free ericsson ringtones cyclobenzaprine online adipex online cheap xanax free alltel ringtones free qwest ringtones ultram online sonyericsson ringtones free samsung ringtones cheap lortab free mono ringtones free samsung ringtones zyban online cheap celexa free funny ringtones wwe ringtones cheap rivotril but clomid buy fioricet buy hgh cheap lipitor cheap hoodia clonazepam online cool ringtones tenuate online cheap vicodin real ringtones free sonyericsson ringtones buy hoodia buy tramadol nextel ringtones cheap alprazolam ambien online The Comma Rules, taught by Michael Plasmeier for Honors 9th Grade level class on 3/9/2006, postponed to 3/13/2006

Contents

Lesson Plan

Objectives

After the lesson, students will be able to:

  • Correctly and successfully use commas in their everyday writing
  • Correctly and successfully identify and/or insert commas into a paragraph
  • Know the 10 or 11 rules for when commas are used

Matrials

Instructional Strategies

  • Lecture / Present comma rules on PowerPoint slide show
  • Fix a paragraph on PlazWiki (solo activity) (in two shifts)
    • winner from each shift gets a "ThePlaz.com" T-Shirt!
  • Other Shift: Crossword Puzzle of Comma Rules

Assessment Techniques

  • Fix a paragraph exercise by self
  • Comma Rules memorization with crossword puzzle

Steps

  1. Introduce 10 (or 11) comma rules in PowerPoint slide show
  2. Fix a paragraph exercise
  3. (other shift): Crossword Puzzle

Lecture/Presentation

The Comma Rules

Word.PNGA Microsoft Word version of this work is available here: Image:The Comma Rules Handout.doc

Pdf.jpgA PDF version of this work is available here: Image:Microsoft Word - The Comma Rules Handout.pdf

Introduction

  • The comma is a valuable, useful punctuation device because it separates the structural elements of sentences into manageable segments.
  • "comma" comes directly from the Greek komma, which means "something cut off" or "a short clause".
  • The rules provided here are those found in traditional handbooks; however, in certain rhetorical contexts and for specific purposes, these rules may be broken.

Before Coordinating Conjunctions for Compound Sentences

  • Use comma before an coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
  • Used to connect two independent clauses in a compound sentence
  • Ex: Joe has seven chickens, but Jack has three.
  • Ex: I asked you to repeat that, yet you didn’t.

Set off an Introductory Phrase or Clause

  • Introductory clauses are dependent clauses that provide background information or "set the stage" for the main part of the sentence, the independent clause. For example:
  • If they want to win, athletes must exercise every day. (introductory dependent clause, main clause)
  • Because he kept barking insistently, we threw the ball for Smokey. (introductory dependent clause, main clause)
  • Clue: Introductory clauses start with adverbs like after, although, as, because, before, if, since, though, until, when, etc.
  • (We call this a complex sentence)
Important Exception
  • Ex: Because she fell, she was late to class.
  • Don’t put a comma when the dependent clause comes after the independent clause
  • Ex: She was late for class, because she fell.
  • Instead: She was late for class because she fell.

Transition/Introductory Words and Phrases

  • Use a comma to set off transition words from the rest of the sentence
  • Common introductory phrases that should be followed by a comma include participial and infinitive phrases, absolute phrases, nonessential appositive phrases, and long prepositional phrases (over four words).
  • Ex: Unfortunately, there is no free lunch
  • Ex: I don’t want to take the test, however, I need to.

Set off an Appositives and Parenthetical Phrases

  • An appositive is a noun or pronoun -- often with modifiers -- set beside another noun or pronoun to explain or identify it.
  • Parenthetical = (like Parentheses)
  • Only put commas before and after appositives when the sentence would make still sense without the appositive (non-restrictive)
  • Ex: Bill, my brother, got a job.
Don’t use a comma when...
  • after a brief prepositional phrase. (Less then five words)
  • after a restrictive (essential) appositive phrase.
  • to separate the subject from the predicate.
  • Ex: Preparing and submitting his report to the committee for evaluation and possible publication [x] was one of the most difficult tasks Bill had ever attempted.
  • To start a new business without doing market research and long-term planning in advance [x] would be foolish.
  • Extracting the most profit for the least expenditure on labor and materials [x] is the primary goal of a capitalist.

Separate Adjectives

  • Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives that describe the same noun
  • (coordinating adjectives) describe the same noun equally (Does it make sense to put in an and?)
  • Ex: I will go into the small, cramped room.
  • Not: The powerful [x] summer sun beat down upon them.

Quoted Words and Dialogue

  • Use a comma to set off quoted words and dialogue
  • Before the quote
  • Ex: I said, “go to the mall.”
  • After the quote
  • Ex: “Go to the mall,” I said.
  • Use a comma to set off the noun you are directly talking to.
  • Ex: Mom, go get me a soda.

Phrases that Express Contrast

  • Use a comma to set off phrases that express contrast or a distinct pause or shift
  • Ex: You need to pay attention now, not later.
  • Ex: The game is today, not tomorrow.

Mild Interjections

  • Use a comma to set off mild interjections!
  • Ex: Oh, it will freeze.
  • Ex: My gosh, that’s smart.

More Comma Abuse

  • Don’t use a comma to separate a subject from the verb
  • An ant, is the smallest bug.
  • Don’t put a comma between 2 verbs in a compound predicate
  • We put on our music, and began to study.
  • Don’t put a comma between 2 nouns (or noun phrases) in a compound subject
  • The music teacher, and the football coach are married

Separate Items in a Series or List

  • Use commas to separate items of three or more things
  • The last comma is sometimes left out (serial comma)
  • Ex: Milk, bread, and cheese

Dates and Years

  • Used to separating the day from the year when also writing the month.
  • Ex: March 19, 2005
  • Ex: June 17, 1905

Large Numbers

  • Used to present large numbers in more readable forms
  • Every 3 Places
  • Ex: 1,500,275 = One million, five hundred thousand, two hundred seventy-five
  • **Fun fact – In Europe and other countries, they use commas as decimal points and spaces for commas**

City and States

  • Used to separate the city from the state
  • Ex: Havertown, PA
  • Ex: Orlando, Florida

Names and Titles

  • Ex: Dr. Brown, PhD.
  • Ex: Mrs. Smith, R.N, B.S.
  • Also when using the last name first
  • Ex: Bond, James
  • Used often in books (and MLA)

And finally:

  • You have the power to put a comma in wherever necessary to prevent confusion or misreading
  • Ex: To George, Harrison had been a sort of idol.
  • (note how it still sort of fits one of our rules)

More Help

Exercise Instructions

  • Get laptops
  • Connect to the internet and go to http://theplaz.com
  • Hit “Log in” at the top right of the page
  • Type “Comma Rules” in to the search bar and hit “Go”
  • Find your number which I assigned to you and click on that
  • Hit edit at the top of the page
  • Edit the paragraph by inserting the commas where necessary. Fill in the total number of mistakes you found.
  • Hit “Save this page” and call me over.
  • The winner wins a “ThePlaz.com” T-Shirt

Sources

Retrieved from "https://wiki.theplaz.com/w/index.php?title=Comma_Rules&oldid=8300"