1. The shiny, red, ripe apple dripped with poison.

2. The party was filled with guests like ogres, gremlins, centaurs, and elves.

3. Knees knocking, the princess trembled as she opened the glowing door.

4. The prince tried to slay the dragon, but he was unsuccessful.

5. Legolas was from El Paso, Texas.

6. President Snow was born on July 7, 1777.

What do all of these sentences have in common?

1. The shiny, red, ripe apple dripped with poison.

2. The party was filled with guests like ogres, gremlins, centaurs, and elves.

3. Knees knocking, the princess trembled as she opened the glowing door.

4. The prince tried to slay the dragon, but he was unsuccessful.

5. Legolas was from El Paso, Texas.

6. President Snow was born on July 7, 1777.

They all contain COMMAS!

Commas

What does a comma do?

Tell what you think a comma does: ________________.

Comma Rule 1

Front of index card:

To avoid confusion, use commas to separate words and word groups with series of three or more.

Back of index card:

Example: My $10 million estate is to be split among my husband, daughter, son and nephew.

Comma Rule 2

Front:

Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the word and can be inserted between them.

Back:

Examples: He is a strong, healthy man.

We stayed at an expensive summer resort. You would not say expensive and summer resort—so no comma.

Comma Rule 3

Front:

Use commas before or surrounding a name or title of a person directly addressed.

Back:

Example:

Will you, Aisha, do that assignment for me?

Yes, Doctor, I will.

Comma Rule 4

Front:

Use a comma to separate the day of the month from the year and after the year.

Use a comma to separate the city and state and after the state in a sentence.

Back:

Example:

Kathleen met her husband on December 5, 2003, in Mill Valley, California.

We went to Mill Valley, California, with some friends.

Commas

Commas are used in the following ways:1. To separate words or groups of words in a series.2. To separate two or more adjectives before a noun.3. To separate a person's name and title.4. To separate the day from the year in a date.4. To separate a city from a state5. To separate two complete sentences with a

connecting word (conjunction).6. To separate opening phrases/clauses in a sentence.7. To separate a phrase/clause that interrupts the main thought in a sentence. (An appositive).8. To introduce a quotation in a sentence..9. To introduce a personal letter.

Comma Rule 5

Front:

Use comma to separate two complete sentences with a

connecting word—and, or , but, yet, for, nor, so

Back:

Example: I have painted the entire house, but he is still working on sanding the doors.

Comma Rule 6

Front:

Use comma to separate opening phrases/clauses or an introductory word in the sentence.

Back:

Example:

Burnt and broken from the fire, Johnny died in the hospital.

Yes, Johnny said you can see him now.

Comma Rule 7

Front:

Use comma to separate a phrase/clause that interrupts the main thought in a sentence. (An appositive/dependant clause).

Back:

Example:

My husband, who typically works nights, was home for dinner tonight.

Comma Rule 8

Front:

Use comma to introduce a quotation in a sentence.

Back:

In The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton states, “ When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home.”

Comma UsesSpecifically, note the following methods of comma usage:1. To separate two or more adjectives before a noun.Example:The shiny, red, ripe apple dripped with poison.

2. To separate opening phrases in a sentence.Example:After a ride through the countryside, the prince returned to the castle to play checkers.

3. To separate a phrase that interrupts the main thought in a sentence. (An appositive).

Example:Snow White, in the evil queen's opinion, was too pretty and too spunky.

Comma Practice IRewrite the following sentences, adding commas where necessary.1. Because the pemmican remained good to eat for

several years it was a practical food for many American Indians.2. Although Jesse did not win the student council

election he raised many important issues.3. Walking home from school Rosa saw her brother.4. Yes I enjoyed the fajitas Ruben made.5. When I go to bed late I sometimes have trouble

waking up in the mornings.6. After eating the chickens settled down.7. Attracted by the computer games in the window

George decided to go in an buy one.

Comma Practice IIRewrite the following sentences, adding commas where necessary.1. In 1990, Ellis Island rebuilt as a museum was opened

to the public.2. The museum's lobby crowded with trunks and other

baggage is the visitors' first sight.3. The Registry Room which is on the second floor

sometimes held as many as five thousand people.4. Rubber an elastic substance quickly restores itself to

Its original size and shape.5. The North Sea an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is rich in

fish, natural gas, and oil.6. The immigrants who came from many countries

hoped to find freedom and a happier life in America.

Comma Practice IIIRewrite the following sentences, adding commas where necessary.1. Kate was a brave honest and wise woman.2. Kate’s graceless overbearing brother interrupted the

two young friend’s discussion.3. A wondrous outrageous pig of that description lived

on the old decrepit farm across the creek.4. Arnon had seen the pig down in the lush green

meadow close by the favorite spot for toads.5. Kate wondered whether the aggressive overgrown

pig had made a tasty quick treat of the toads.

Comma Practice IVRewrite and combine the following sentences, incorporating coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS).1. Harry Potter desired some jelly beans. He tracked

down the Jelly Belly factory.2. The Hunger Games is a great book. The Fault in Our

Stars is a great book as well.3. Obi Wan Kenobi confiscated Anakin Skywalker's cell

phone. The padawan texted utilizing the Force.4. Yoda spoke sentences in reverse. Yoda failed his English

class.5. In reality, fairies were mischievous. Tinkerbell attempted

to murder Wendy on multiple occasions.6. The Wolf could stalk Little Red Riding Hood. He might

hassle the three pig brothers.7. Sleeping Beauty forgot to set her alarm. Obviously, she

overslept.

Comma Practice VRewrite the following sentences, correctly utilizing commas for the items in a series.

Example:Rapunzel Sleeping Beauty and Snow White consumed hamburgers and discussed the stresses of being captured and fatigued.

1. Harry Potter dueled menacing Fluffy noseless Voldemort and pale Malfoy.

2. My favorite books are Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

and The Hobbit.3. Obi Wan Kenobi Qui Gon Jin and Luke Skywalker are all Jedi

knights.4. Peter Pan valiantly led the Lost Boys: Tootles Nibs and Slightly.5. The Wolf could stalked Little Red Riding Hood the three pig

brothers and the huntsman.

Comma Writing Activity I

Complete the following following sentences adding introductory phrases and independent clauses where necessary.1. ____________________, the prince returned to the

castle to play checkers.2. ____________________, the princess trembled as

she opened the glowing door.3. ____________________, Hercules sat down after

completing his twelfth task.4. After a ride through the countryside, _____________.5. Knees knocking, ___________________________.6. Sagging with exhaustion, _____________________.

Comma Writing Activity II

Complete the following following sentences adding appositive phrases where necessary.1. The prince, ___________, returned to the castle to

play checkers.2. Snow White was, ________________, too pretty and

too spunky.3. Snow White, ______________________, had never

looked into a mirror.4. Hercules, _____________________, sat down after

completing his twelfth task.

Comma Writing Activity III: Introductory Phrase Poem

Step 1: Select on of the following characters:Darth VaderDarth MaulVoldemortHank the CowdogAlex RiderKatniss EverdeenLuke SkywalkerDarren ShanBatmanWolverineBeatrice PriorCinderellaPrincess Tiana

Comma Writing Activity III: Introductory Phrase Poem

Step 2: Create a vivid sentence concerning this character.

Example:Batman, a creeping shadow, conquered corrupt criminals.

Comma Writing Activity III: Introductory Phrase Poem

Step 3: Create four lines to precede your sentence. These lines will all be introductory phrases. Place a comma after each line. When completed, the poem will contain five lines total.

Example:Like a silent owl fluttering in the breeze,Cape billowing,With glistening armor,Just, moral, and righteous,Batman, a creeping shadow, conquered corrupt criminals.

Comma Writing Activity III: Introductory Phrase Poem

Step 4: Now, revise your whole poem. Replace bland words with ones that are more vivid. Ensure you have proper punctuation.

Commas Gallery Walk

In a moment, you will have ten minutes to maneuver around the room.

Skipping lines, number your paper 1-12.

Revise each sentence, placing commas where necessary.

As always, talking should be minimal during the gallery walk.

When you are finished, return to your seats.