Let’s Achieve Punctuation Perfection!

Let’s Achieve Punctuation Perfection! • Commas • Parentheses • Brackets • Dashes • Ellipses

“Let’s Start with Commas!” , There are many different ways to use a comma! , , , , Let’s learn them all! , , ,

First of all… “What is a comma?” Definition: Generally used to separate words or groups of words so that the meaning of the sentence is clear. , , , , , Apostrophes are at the top; commas are at the bottom! Apostrophe , , Don’t get a comma confused with an apostrophe!

Rule #1: USE COMMAS FOR ITEMS IN A SERIES Words, Phrases, and Clauses in a series are usually separated by commas to show the reader where one item in the series ends and the next begins. Words in a Series: In the early morning, the lake looked cold, gray,and calm. On the boat, we took extra clothes, fishing poles, and some snacks.

Phrases in a Series , , Checking his shoelaces fastening his helmet strap and positioning his kneepads Brandon prepared for the skateboarding competition. , What is a phrase again?! Where do the commas go? A group of words that does not have a S & V together

Clauses in a Series The lights dimmed the curtain roseand the play began. , , We didn’t know where we were going how we would get there or when we would arrive. , , Where do the commas go? What is a clause again? Group of words with a S & V. It can stand alone.

Use Commas to Separate 2 or More Adjectives Before a Noun , Pomeranians are smallenergetic dogs. , , These intelligentloyalplayful pets always enjoy a challenge.

NOTE! and and and and or or or nor nor nor *If all of the items in a series are joined by and, or, or nor, do NOT use commas to separate them! Repeated Conjunction I voted for Corey and Mona and Ethan in the student council election. Example

Activity!!! • STEPS: • Get in groups of 4 (with people beside you). • Take out a piece of paper: 1 per group. • Write down 1 sentence using words in a series, 1 sentence using phrases in a series, & 1 sentence using clauses in a series with commas used correctly. • The 1st group done correctly wins a prize!!!!

Let’s Practice! Items in a Series! , Place commas where needed! • The delicate colorful wings of the hummingbird vibrate as • many as two hundred times each second. , 2. The cool soft wind blew across the forest. , , 3. Last week I read the novel The Lucky Stone the short story Flowers for Algernon and the poem Legacy II. , , , 4. I want to visit Thailand Nepal China and Japan. , 5. I sanded the the boards Jennifer primed them and Paul painted them. ,

Rule # 2: Compound Sentences: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins independent clauses in a compound sentence. , FANBOYS I enjoyed A Christmas CarolbutRomeo and Juliet is still my favorite play. So I enjoy plays and movies. For Yet No comma needed b/c there are not 2 independent clauses. And Or , I enjoy going to playsandmy sister likes them too. Nor But 2 Indep. Clauses & a Conjunction so we need a comma!

Activity!!! STEPS: • Get a Partner • Take out your lined index card • Lined side: Write 5 sentences using 1 coord. conj. in each sentence & do NOT use commas. • Unlined side: Write the same 5 sentences using commas. • Give to Mrs. Duncan when done!

Rule #3: Interrupters Use commas to set off an expression that interrupts a sentence 2 commas are used with interrupters: 1 goes before the expression, and 1 goes after. EXAMPLE: Elise born in Texas moved to Colorado before coming to Ohio. What’s the interrupter? , , So where do the commas go?

Interrupters Continued… Some interrupting expressions come at the beginning or end of a sentence. In this case, only 1 comma is needed. , Born in Texas Elise moved to Colorado before coming to Ohio. , The applications were mailed three days ago by the way. Where does the comma go?

Nonessential & Essential…there’s a difference A.K.A. Needed & Not Needed Nonessential Definition: A phrase or clause that is not needed in a sentence. Doesn’t take away from the meaning. Example: This small turtle, crossing the street slowly, was in danger.

Essential Definition: NO COMMAS NEEDED! Adds info that makes the N or Prn it identifies more specific. DO NOT SET OFF AN ESSENTIAL PHRASE!!! Example: All farmers growing the new hybrid corn should have a good harvest. We need this info or the sentence changes meaning totally! SO… no commas needed!

Use Commas to Set off Words of Direct Address Examples: Mrs. Clarkson, this package is addressed to you. Do you know, Sarah , when the next bus is coming? I’d like to go now, Jeff.

A Little Humor… What comma rule is needed here? Rule 1: Items in a series!

The Misuse of a Comma Can Be Very Dangerous! What comma rule is needed here? Rule 3: Interrupters!

Another Example of Misuse with Items in a Series

Rule # 4: Introductory Words, Phrases, & Clauses Use a comma after certain introductory elements. Focusing on Words 1st: Use a comma to set off a mild exclamation such as: well, oh, or why at the beginning of a sentence. Other words such as yes and no are also set off with commas! “Where should the comma go?” Examples: , • Well I think we should ask for help. • Yes I understand the problem. ,

Focusing on Introductory Phrases & Clauses Now… Use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause. If an introductory prep. phrase is long, USE A COMMA! Example: At night in the desert,the temperature falls rapidly.

If an introductory prep. phrase is short, a comma MAY or MAY NOT be used! EXAMPLES: In the morning,we’ll tour our favorite sites. In the morning we’ll tour our favorite sites. Either way works!!!

Commas with Verbal Phrases! Use a comma after a verbal phrase that introduces a sentence! Examples: Signaling the referee for a time out, the coach gathered her players for a pep talk. To keep your bones strong , be sure to eat foods rich in calcium. Gumball Question!: What is a verbal phrase?

HINT! When you’re writing… As a general rule… When you start a sentence with a phrase or a clause, usually you need a comma after it!

Practice Makes Perfect! Turn in Your Textbooks to Pages 371-372! Let’s Move & Put Some on the Bard! Oops…I Mean Board!

RULE # 5:Conventional Situations (Dates, Addresses, Letters) 1. Dates & Addresses Where should the commas go in the following examples? , January 7 2010 Mike Jones 1456 Palm Lane Lakewood California 87653 ,

Fix any mistakes in the letter! . 1113 Collins St Fort Worth TX 76106 September 16 2010 , , , Dear Aunt Sally What a great time I had at your house last week Your two dogs Buffy and Pepper certainly kept me entertained I’ve really missed taking them for walks and playing fetch When summer begins I could come visit again Anyway thank you very much for inviting me. Sincerely James ! , , . . , . , , Nice Job!

(Parentheses) USED FOR: Adding material that is less important in a sentence. EXAMPLES: • Mrs. Matsuo served us the sushi (soo’ shee) that she had prepared. • Sushi’s origin began in southeast Asia (during the 2nd century AD). Remember! Stuff in parentheses is less important!

[Brackets] EXAMPLE: • The professor stated, “Komodo dragons [the largest of all monitor lizards] can be found in Indonesia”. REMEMBER! • The info in a bracket has to be material within quoted or parenthetical material! USED FOR: Enclosing added info within quoted or parenthetical material

- Dashes - USED FOR: Showing an abrupt break in thought. EXAMPLE: The candy bar it was invented in 1847 is a delicious, sweet snack. Correct: The candy bar – it was invented in 1847 – is a delicious, sweet snack. Remember! Dashes add a quick thought!

Ellipses…aka: dot, dot, dot EXAMPLES: • “After school, I went to her house, which was a few blocks away, and then came home.” • “After school, I went to her house … and then came home.” USE #1: Marking Parts Left out of a Quote REMEMBER! • 1 use is to leave stuff out of a quote!

EXAMPLE: • She opened the door … and saw … a gorilla! Ellipses…continued! USE #2: To show a pause in thought… REMEMBER! • Shows a pause!

What do you remember? • When do you use parentheses? ( ) • Added, less important info • When do you use brackets? [ ] • Added info w/in a quote or parentheses • When do you use dashes? - - - - • A quick break in a thought • When do you use ellipses? … • Omitting info in a quote OR showing a pause QUICK REVIEW!

“Congratulations!” “Now You’re a PUNCTUATION Pro!!!”

Let’s Achieve Punctuation Perfection!