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C OMMA R HAPSODY By: Queen of Commas Slide 2 Is this a smudge here? Are these parentheses? What mark do I use when combining two sentences? Slide 3 Between years and dates and cities and states, tell me? Its just a small mark, but it plays an important part. Slide 4 Because its everywhere, take a look. In short, short notes and in books. Slide 5 Its everywhere theres written word. What could this punctuation be? What could it be? Slide 6 Comma, why are you hard to understand and use? Its so hard to pick and choose where you are supposed to go, and Im not really sure why we need you at all! Slide 7 Comma, Ooooooooo! I need to learn the rules, or else my teacher will be rather cruel and flunk me! Slide 8 Cant you see that you really, really matter? Slide 9 Comma, where are you used? When we have a list of things, as in run, jump, play, dance, and sing. Slide 10 Comma, separate some adjectives like, Hes a crabby, stinky, crusty, mean, old man! Slide 11 Comma, Oooooooooo! After introductory words and phrases like, According to mom, they all went to the mall. Slide 12 ROCK OUT!!! Slide 13 With names of direct address such as in this sentence, Ms. Dilsaver, Ms. Dilsaver, will you eat this ripe mango? Slide 14 And with interrupters, I am certain, is when they are used. Appositives, Appositives, Appositives, Appositives! Yeah, but whats an appositive? Slide 15 An appositive is a word that describes a noun that comes before it. Ms. Dilsaver, a sixth grade teacher, had a dollar, but she tore it. Slide 16 Separate quotations from explanatory words. School is done, and I am tired. Can I go home? he asked as he raised his hand. Slide 17 Let him go! the students shouted at the woman. Ms. Dilsaver said, No! I will not let you go. Not until you know how to use your commas with quotations. No! No! No! No! No! No! No! Slide 18 And then theres letters, put the comma after the salutation. Dear Abby, or To whom it may concern, With a closing like Sincerely, use the comma! Slide 19 So heres the most important way that a comma can function! When combining two sentences linked with a conjunction! Ohhhhh! That conjunction! Comma goes before the conjunction! Slide 20 But only if the two combined sentences can stand alone. Independent clauses! Slide 21 Commas, commas, commas. All this really matters, anyone can see. I expect correct punctuation on any assignment you turn in to me. Slide 22 Its all about the comma.