The Serial Comma

Did You Make the List?

Introduction Commas can separate items or actions

written in a series. Lists consist of three or more items or

actions. Two items or actions are a pair, not a list,

and do not require commas. A comma separating the last item in a

series may be omitted if and or or stand in and separate the last item. It’s an issue of style.

Parallelism When we look at actions in a series,

we have another opportunity to look at agreement, tense, and parallelism.

Parallelism is about making things match.

If I write a list of actions, each verb should be in the same tense. He read a book, wrote an essay, and

cleaned the garage.

Parallelism

This polishing point makes a list balanced and clear.

Working on parallelism can force us to rework our sentences, which is usually a good thing.

Serial Commas

Serial commas help combine sentences and expand ideas by using sensory detail – specific nouns or vivid verbs.

His room smelled of cooked grease, Lysol, and age. - Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged

Bird Sings.

Invitation to Imitate

_______smells of _______, _______, (Place) (list of at least three things)

and __________.

Use this graphic to imitate the underlying pattern. We can use a structure to shape our own ideas.

More Invitations to Notice and Imitate

Her cleats, shin pads, and sweats were in her backpack, slung over her shoulder and heavy with homework.

I walked back to my room wet and dried myself with a pair of jeans. I put on long underwear, pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes, and my parka. I stood in front of the heater.

Then I heard a scrape, a thud, and a yelp.

Invitation to Combine

I have hair the color of carrots in an apricot glaze.

My skin is fair and clear where it isn’t freckled.

My eyes are like summer storms.

Combine these three sentences using commas.

Original Combined Sentence

I have hair the color of carrots in an apricot glaze, skin fair and clear where it isn’t freckled, and eyes like summer storms.

- Polly Horvath, Everything on a Waffle

Uncovering How Writers Communicate With Readers

His room smelled of cooked grease, Lysol, and age.

His room smelled. His room smelled of cooked grease,

lysol, and age. His room smell of cooked grease,

Lysol, and age. His room smelled off cooked grease,

Lysol, and age.