COMMA DRAMA

RULE 1

Use a comma to set off three or more

items in a series.

Ex. On Sundays I like to clean, do

laundry, and grade papers.

YOUR TURN!

I need to go to the store to buy

milk cereal shampoo and paper

towels.

I have homework in math science

and English.

RULE 2

Use a comma to show a pause

after an introductory word.

Ex. Yes, I am going to the store

after school today.

YOUR TURN!

Yes I do have practice after school

today.

No I do not have any homework

tonight.

RULE 3

Use a comma after two or more prepositional

phrases at the beginning of a sentence.

In my words: If there are more than 3 words

in a prepositional phrase as the beginning of a

sentence, use a comma.

Ex. For a number of years, I was a

competitive cheerleader.

YOUR TURN!

At the end of the street you will

find a gas station.

Around the corner from my

house there is a gym.

RULE 4

Use commas to set off words that

interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence.

My husband, as you might have guessed,

is an electrician.

YOUR TURN!

My next class as you might

know is math.

My favorite teacher of course is

Mrs. Boulware.

RULE 5

Use commas to set off names

used in direct addresses.

Ex. Can you, Nathan, take out

the trash for me?

YOUR TURN!

Dillon can you please stop talking?

If you don’t pay attention Hayes you will

miss the directions.

6th arts stops here

RULE 6

Use commas after introductory participles

and introductory participial phrases.

Ex. Daydreaming, I found myself on a beach

in Jamaica.

Waking down the road, I tripped on a fallen

limb.

YOUR TURN!

Traveling to the airport I realized I

left my passport at home.

Laughing I found myself crying.

RULE 7

Use commas to set off an appositive if it is not

essential to the meaning of the sentence.

Ex. Nathan, my husband, usually does all of the

laundry.

Maximum Ride, the book we are reading in class,

is awesome.

YOUR TURN!

Mr. Silky my stuffed bunny still sleeps with

me every night.

Mrs. Boulware my teacher is so awesome.

Buddy my dog happens to be a rescue dog.