WaG 10 – Commas

When and where should you place a comma?

Please look carefully at the following samples to determine what you notice about commas. What writing or grammar rules can you identify?

Tommy and I went to the store, and then we went to the movies.

She read Twilight, The Hunger Games, and Divergent last year.

The cat likes to climb trees and curtains.

Commas

Use a comma + conjunction to connect two COMPLETE sentences that are separate but related thoughts (clauses). Annie drove to work.

+ Annie was late.

= Annie drove to work, but she was late.

Use a comma to separate different items in a list (3 or more). I like drinking coffee, tea, and water. Jennifer won the 100 meter dash, the 400 relay, and

the hurdles. Danny’s favorite flavors are chocolate and vanilla.

The “Oxford” Comma

The “Oxford Comma” is the last comma before the word “and” in a list.

It is required to make sure the sentence is clear. I’d like to thank my parents, God and Einstein. I’d like to thank my parents, God, and

Einstein.

Good example: I made eggs, bacon, and toast.

Bad example: I also served juice, milk and coffee.

Write these samples, then use the comma rules to write TWO more sentences of your own.

① Tonya ran to the lake, and then she went for a swim.

② James was wearing a blue hat, shirt, and pants.

③ The story had knights, dragons, and wizards.

④ [Write your own sentence]

⑤ [Write your own sentence]

WaG Quiz #10 – Wednesday, 12/10 & Thursday, 12/11

Review the rules of commas!

If you earn a B or better, you’ve proven that you do not need homework to review it.

If you earn a C or lower, you will need to do some reteach homework for more practice.