Section A The Comma Section B The Semicolon

Section A: The Comma Section B: The Semicolon Section C: Other Marks Section D: Correcting Punctuation Errors Chapter The Writer’s Handbook: The Mechanics of Writing

Section A: The Comma § Comma placement is based on rules, not pauses. § The rule came first, § the comma came second, and § the pause came third. © 2014 The Writer’s Toolkit, Inc. All rights reserved.

When in doubt, leave it out. § If you don’t know the reason to use a comma based on a rule: § Don’t use the comma. § Do additional research. § Rewrite the sentence so that you know you are correct.

Comma Rule No. 1 The Sentence Core Rules § Do not separate a subject and verb with just one comma. § Incorrect: § The money, was deposited in the account. § Revised: § The money was deposited in the account.

Comma Rule No. 2 Comma Conjunction (CONJ) § Use a comma to separate independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. § Bob went to the meeting, but he arrived late. § Mary summarized the report, and she did a good job.

Comma Rule No. 3 Series (SER) § When three or more items occur in a series, separate each item with a comma. § (YOU) Please complete parts 1, 2, and 3 before you leave. § The menu listed potatoes, peas, and carrots as well as string beans for the daily special. § Mr. Jordan has divided his estate among Bob, Rose, Chuck, and Lisa.

Comma Rule No. 4 Introductory (INTRO) § Place a comma after a word, phrase, or dependent clause that introduces a main clause. § Subordinating conjunctions § Although we went to the store, we did not remember to buy notebooks. § Adverbial conjunctions § However, Bob went to the meeting alone.

Comma Rule No. 5 Nonrestrictive (NR) § Use commas to set off nonessential (nonrestrictive) explanations. § Nonessential § My uncle John, who currently lives in Dallas, has been a firefighter his entire career. § Essential § The person who gave you that information should have known it was not correct.

Comma Rule No. 6 Parenthetical (PAR) § Use commas to set off a word or phrase that interrupts an independent clause. § I will, however, call you when I receive the new report. § Margaret, therefore, will be the next committee chairperson. § We will, of course, look forward to your reply.

Comma Rule No. 7 Direct Address (DA) § Use commas to set off the name or title of a person addressed directly. § George, will you assist me with the project? § (I) Thank you, sir, for allowing me to use the parking spot. § Everyone expected that you would do the -up report, Marcus. follow

Comma Rule No. 8 Appositive (AP) § Use commas to set off words or phrases that describe or identify a preceding noun or pronoun. § John, my brother, will plan the family reunion this year. § Mr. Jackson, the bank’s president, is responsible for the policy change. § (YOU) Please speak to Janet, my assistant, if I am not available.

Comma Rule No. 9 Addresses and Dates (AD) § Use commas to set off addresses and dates. § Lexi agreed that Friday, May 29, 2014, would be a good date for the opening. § The target date for a merger is April 2014. § Jonathon will relocate to Boise, Idaho, as a result of his new position.

Comma Rule No. 10 Words Omitted (WO) And omitted § The long and boring speech seemed to go on forever. § The long, boring speech seemed to go on forever. That omitted § The truth is, we never received the contract. § The truth is (that) we never received the contract. Repetitive words omitted § The annual report should be sent to our corporate office; the proposal, to the New York branch.

Comma Rule No. 11 Direct Quotation (DQ) § Use commas to set off a direct quotation within a sentence: Direct Quote: Jordan said, “I have a meeting on Tuesday. ” Indirect Quote: Jordan said that he had a meeting on Tuesday. Note: Commas and periods are placed on the inside of the quotation marks.

Comma Rule No. 12 Contrasting Expression/Afterthought § Use a comma to separate a contrasting expression (often beginning with “but, ” “not, ” or “rather than”) or an afterthought that is added to the end of a sentence. § My friend asked me to go to theater, not the ballgame. § The board meeting is on Tuesday; (YOU) bring up the issue at that time, but only if you wish. § The heckler interrupted the speaker, creating chaos for a brief moment.

Section B: The Semicolon § Semicolons add variety and keep writing from getting choppy when sentences are short. § The semicolon communicates to readers that ideas are close in meaning.

Semicolon Rule No. 1 No Conjunction (NC) § Use a semicolon to separate two independent clauses that are joined without a conjunction. § Allison wrote the marketing report; William will edit it. § Allison wrote the marketing report. William will edit it. § The chairperson resigned yesterday; the president already appointed a replacement. § The chairperson resigned yesterday. The president already appointed a replacement.

Semicolon Rule No. 2 Semicolon Transition (TRANS) § Place a semicolon before and a comma after adverbial conjunctions when they act as transitions between independent clauses. § Michael went to the market; however, he forgot several items on the list. § My supervisor asked for my resignation; fortunately, he was only joking. § There will be a meeting after work on Friday; however, it will be short.

Semicolon Rule No. 3 Semicolon Because of Commas When a clause needs major and minor separations, use semicolons for major breaks and commas for minor breaks. § This year’s meetings will be held in Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Dallas, Texas; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. § The best time of the year for marketing campaigns is September; and since we have that time available, we should plan a meeting to develop a plan.

Section C: Other Marks The Colon § Use a colon to indicate a list. § “These are the items to add to the agenda: annual meeting schedule and draft report changes. ” § Use a colon after the words note and caution. § “Note: If a complete sentence follows the introductory word note or caution, capitalize the first word of the sentence that follows it. ” § Use a colon in business letters after the salutation. § Use a colon at the end of one sentence to introduce the next sentence § “La. Salle Bank is a great place to have an account: it ranks number one in customer service. ”

Section C: Other Marks The Ellipses § Ellipsis marks indicate an omission of a word or several words: § Ellipses (plural form of ellipsis) are represented by three periods with a space before, between and after each: . . . § When ellipses occur at the end of a quoted sentence, a fourth period is added.

Other Marks of Punctuation The Dash § Represent the dash with two hyphens without a space before, between, or after them. § The dash can be a substitute for the comma, semicolon, period, or colon § The dash places emphasis on the information following or between them. § “Trisha hosted the charity gala dinner—it raised more money than any other event in this history of our organization. ” § “Charlie Richards—our new CEO—invited me to apply for the position of Senior VP. ”

Terminal Punctuation Marks § The Period § indicates the end of a statement § also indicates the end of a courteous request § “Would you be able to return the enclosed form by Friday. ” § The Exclamation Point § indicates surprise § “Stop!” § “Congratulations on your promotion!” § The Question Mark § indicates a question the writer expects the reader to answer § “What next? ” § “He said that he would do what? ” § “What did he say? ”

Section D: Correcting Punctuation Errors § Dependent Clauses as Fragments § An independent Clause can stand alone. § A dependent Clause doesn’t express a complete thought so it can’t stand alone. § “Bill advised our department the policy had changed. ” § “Because Bill advised our department the policy had changed. ”

Correcting Fragments § Turn the dependent clause into an independent clause. § You may be able to do this simply by removing the subordinating conjunction. § Attach the dependent clause to an independent clause. § Often the sentence before or after the dependent clause completes it nicely.

Phrases as Fragments § Fragments can occur when a phrase is punctuated as a sentence: a phrase does not have a subject and a verb. § An infinitive phrase is formed by adding “to” the base form of the verb. § “To go to the store before going to work because it was on my way” § “To see you at the meeting later today with all of the necessary forms” § A gerund phrase is formed by adding to the base form of the verb. § “Going to the store before going to work because it was on my way” § “Seeing you at the meeting later today with all of the necessary forms”

Run-On Sentences § A fused sentence consists of two independent clauses that are connected without a comma or conjunction. § A run-on sentence consists of two independent clauses that are joined with a coordinating conjunction but without a comma to separate them. § Fused: § “Each session is limited to 22 participants call today to reserve your space. ” § Run-on: § “In response, several states have adopted their own provisions and several more are considering similar measures. “

Correcting Run-On Sentences § To correct fused or run-on sentences, do one of the following: § Place a period after each independent clause. § Use a comma and coordinating conjunction to separate the independent clauses. § Use a semicolon to separate the independent clauses. § Revised: § “Each session is limited to 22 participants. Call today to reserve your space. ” § “In response, several states have adopted their own provisions, and several more are considering similar measures. ”

Comma Splice A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with only a comma. § “The department received explicit instructions, everyone agreed to participate. ” § To correct a comma splice, do one of the following: § Change the comma into a semicolon. § Add a coordinating conjunction. § Change the comma to a subordinating conjunction. § Revised: § “The department received explicit instructions; everyone agreed to participate. ”