PUNCTUATION 8 th Grade Language Arts Mrs Zipperer

PUNCTUATION! 8 th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Zipperer

STANDARD L. 8. 2 - a. Use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break.

Punctuation makes all the difference!!

Let’s eat, grandma! OR Let’s eat grandma!

“Stop clubbing baby seals” Or

GENERAL COMMA RULES Use a comma to separate the elements in a series (three or more things) � Example: base. ” Use a comma + a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so) to connect two independent clauses � Example: “He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to first "He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base. " Use a comma to set off introductory elements, as in � Example: "Running toward third base, he suddenly realized how stupid he looked. “ � “However, he was not surprised at his mistake” Use a comma to set off appositives � Example: "The Founders Bridge, which spans the Connecticut River, is falling down.

COMMA PRACTICE The game was over but the crowd refused to leave. While I was eating the cat scratched at the door. Having finished the test he left the room. Well perhaps he meant no harm. I appreciate your hard work. However you seem to have over-exerted yourself. That Tuesday which happens to be my birthday is the only day when I am available to meet. The Constitution establishes the legislative executive and judicial branches of government. Comma + conjunction � The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave. Introductory Element � While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door. Introductory Element � Having finished the test, he left the room. Introductory Element � Well, perhaps he meant no harm. Introductory Element � I appreciate your hard work. However, you seem to have overexerted yourself. Appositive � That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only day when I am available to meet. Elements in a series � The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

COMMA SPLICES Comma splices are similar to runon sentences because they also incorrectly connect independent clauses. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are connected with only a comma.

COMMA SPLICE EXAMPLES Comma Splice: My family bakes together nearly every night, we then get to enjoy everything we make together. � Correction 1: My family bakes together nearly every night. We then get to enjoy everything we make together. � Correction 2: My family bakes together nearly every night, and we then get to enjoy everything we make together. � Correction 3: After my family bakes together nearly every night, we get to enjoy everything we make together.

SUGGEST A REVISION FOR THE COMMA SPLICE I didn’t like the movie, it was way too long. �I �I didn’t like the movie. It was way too long. didn’t like the movie, because it was way too long. She and Jerry are getting married in the fall, they didn’t want a summer wedding. � She and Jerry are getting married in the fall. They didn’t want a summer wedding. � Since they didn’t want a summer wedding, she and Jerry are getting married in the fall. My favorite bands are all really loud, playing loud music is good for stress relief. � My favorite bands are really loud. Playing loud music is good for stress relief. � My favorite bands are really loud, since playing loud music is good for stress relief.