Punctuation and Punctuation and Pronoun UsagePronoun Usage

Writing in CSDWriting in CSD

Use a comma:Use a comma:

After introductory elementAfter introductory element To set off nonessential elementsTo set off nonessential elements Before the conjunction in a Before the conjunction in a

compound sentencecompound sentence Between coordinate adjectivesBetween coordinate adjectives Between all items in a seriesBetween all items in a series

(3 or more items)(3 or more items)

Example of an essential Example of an essential elementelement

Children who have extreme Children who have extreme sensitivity to noise and changes sensitivity to noise and changes in routine may have autism.in routine may have autism.

Compound sentencesCompound sentences

Have two independent clauses Have two independent clauses (each could be a separate (each could be a separate sentence)sentence)

Are joined by a coordinating Are joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)or, yet, so)

Remember: FANBOYSRemember: FANBOYS

Example of a sentence with Example of a sentence with cumulative adjectivescumulative adjectives

Three tall gray ships sailed into Three tall gray ships sailed into the harbor.the harbor.

(the order of the adjectives (the order of the adjectives cannot be changed: use no cannot be changed: use no commas)commas)

Serial commaSerial comma

Required by APARequired by APA Use when you have 3 or more Use when you have 3 or more

items in a seriesitems in a series Items can be single words, Items can be single words,

phrases, or even clausesphrases, or even clauses

Comma SplicesComma Splices

Occur when two independent Occur when two independent clauses are joined with only a clauses are joined with only a commacomma

Considered a major grammatical Considered a major grammatical errorerror

Sara did a great job she Sara did a great job she was promoted.was promoted.

Run-on or Fused SentencesRun-on or Fused Sentences

Occur when 2 independent Occur when 2 independent clauses are joined with no clauses are joined with no punctuation, no conjunctionpunctuation, no conjunction

Considered a major grammatical Considered a major grammatical errorerror

Pronouns Pronouns

Make pronouns agree with the Make pronouns agree with the nouns they refer to (number and nouns they refer to (number and gender)gender)

Watch for the generic singular Watch for the generic singular noun (treat as singular)noun (treat as singular)

Check subjective v. objective Check subjective v. objective casecase