Copyright © 2015 by Write Score LLC

Lesson Focus:

Use commas appropriately to show a command of writing.

Comma Rules:

Use a comma to separate items in a series.It took hours to get to the lake because

the weather was bad, the traffic was congested, and we made a wrong turn.

Use a comma after lengthy introductory phrases or dependent clauses.

After she had a much needed nap, her attitude improved.

Use a comma to set off quoted elements. When asked if they finished the test, Sally replied enthusiastically, “absolutely,” and her grade reflected that enthusiasm.

Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives.She is a tall, fashionable young lady.

Comma Rules:

Mentor Text:Dolphins make up the largest and most diverse family of cetaceans. The family contains 26 recognized species of which 13 tend to have long well defined beaks and streamlined, robust bodies. Just as humans have varying characteristics, many dolphins vary in size, shape, and colors. Because of fishing techniques, the dolphin population is starting to decrease. According to Bologa, "the dolphin population has declined to just one percent of the number recorded 46 years ago.”

Group Sentence Corrections:1. ___ Although Erica was exhausted after her cross-country meet she got up early the next morning for school.

2. ___Robin wanted to stay however she knew her parents would not like it if she did.

3. ___Heather enrolled in calculus French history and AP English.

4. ___Mr. Thomas glanced at Mike who appeared to be sleeping and said "I sure hope I'm not keeping any of you up past your bedtimes."

5. ___The Silver Maple is a tall graceful tree with soft wood susceptible to wind damage.

6. ___During the last three summers Juan has worked at McDonalds Wendy's and Macys.

7. ___Grace never liked birds she preferred to own a cat.

Group Sentence Corrections:

Partner Paragraph Fix:Environmental problems also add to the decline in the dolphin population. In China the waters are heavily polluted with toxins used in the production of plastics. These chemicals lodge in the dolphins’ body fat and are passed to baby dolphins in their mother’s milk. The dolphins are filled with so much toxic, disgusting waste their bodies are not able to fight off all of the toxins on their own. They lose the fight to survive. Parsons, a marine biologist says “At the rate these dolphins are dying they will be extinct within another 5 years.” This is just one example of what is occurring in the ocean because of pollution. If we would combine all the incidents occurring all over the globe pollution alone would be a major threat to the dolphin society. People need to be more aware speak up and stop the pollution before dolphins become extinct.

Independent Practice:

Find comma usage errors within your writing.