Punctuation Part 1

JGo. "Virgola."11/16/2007 via wikimedia. Public Domain.

In this blog post I will be discussing 3 points of punctuation that are discussed in Rules for Writers. I will be talking about the uses of commas, when not to use commas and

The Comma:

• The Comma is used before coordinating conjunctions that connect two independent clauses.This is telling the reader that one independent clause is ending and another one is beginning. This is for longer independent clauses so there is no confusion. 

• Ex: The dance teachers being class with a warm up, and then the students end the class with improve across the floor.

• You also use commas after an introductory statement. This introductory statement gives the condition in which the action is occurring.

• Ex. When this blog post was made, Victoria was very tired and really needed her coffee.

• This is not done, however, when the introductory phrase is a short adverb phrase or clause. So, bottom line, the longer certain sections of the text are, the more likely there is a use for commas. They make sure the reader understands the sentence correctly.  

• Use commas when making a list of things. These things can be verbs, nouns, or longer phrases.

• Ex. This afternoon, Timmy and I went to Bashas to get milk. eggs. cheese sticks, and yogurt. 

• You don't have to put a comma before "and" in this case, but it doesn't hurt to either. 

• Use a comma between a list of adjectives that don't use "and" or "or". These are coordinate adjectives, and commas should not be used cumulative adjectives

• Ex. The kind, loving, gentle dog gave me big slobbery kiss on the face.
• Do NOT use a comma: The big scary gray dog jumped on me from behind and caused me to scream like a little girl. 

• Use commas to separate the nonrestrictive portions of the sentence from the restrictive portions.

• Nonrestrictive portions are nouns or pronouns and usually contains nonessential information that is not necessary for the sentence to make sense. It is an add on to give the sentence more description.
• Ex. The coffee that Starbucks brews, which is way overpriced, is so good that I usually get a cup 3 or 4 times a week. 
• The part about it being expensive wasn't necessary but it told you more about the coffee. That is the nonrestrictive portion of the sentence which the commas are closing off.  

• Use commas to isolate nouns or direct who the sentence is addressing. 
• Ex. Katie, lets do this. 

• Use commas with words like "said" to start off or end a quote. 

• Ex. The other day my friend said, "Give me tea or give me death" and I started laughing so hard people starting staring. 

• Use commas to separate years from days and with other uses of indicating time. 

• On March 2, 2009 I went to the carnival and rode on 10 rides. 

• Use commas when trying to prevent confusion in the reader. 

• Even though we try to be perfect in everything we do, it is against human nature to be perfect. 

Unnecessary Commas

• Don't use a commas between compound elements that aren't independent clauses. 

• Ex. The girls went to the movies but afterwards they ended up going to a party. 

• Don't use a comma to separate the verb from its subject or or object.

• Don't have unnecessary pauses between the verb and the subject. They are connecting ideas. 
• Ex. Dance studios that have become too crowded with students eventually make a new studio!

• Don't use a comma before the first item of a series or list of things. 

• Ex. You need to remember to pack a sleeping bag, toothbrush, pajamas, and snacks if you are going to a sleepover. 
• You need to commas in the series, but they are excluded from the beginning and end of it. 

• Don't use a comma between:
• cumulative adjectives. They are not separated by "and."
• Ex. She wore the new blue hat the other day.
• an adjective and a noun. They flow together with one another. No pause is necessary.
• Ex. The orange, scary tiger almost killed my friend.
• an adverb and an adjective.
• Ex. The dance studio is good for distinctly(,) hardworking individuals who are willing to put themselves in a lot of pain to do well.

• Don't use a comma to separate the ending point of a sentence. 
• Ex. Don't live in the south side of Detroit(,) unless you want your house to get robbed. 
• Don't use a comma to separate a sentence that has been inverted. 
• Ex. At the last show sat the director of a prestigious dance school. 

The Semicolon

• This combines two sentences that have equal grammatical merit. 

• Combine two independent clauses without the use of a coordinating conjunction. 
• Ex. The dance teachers all got together to decide who would be in the dance; they were talking for quite some time. 
• the semicolon takes the place of the coordinating conjunction. 

• Use a semicolon to link independent clauses linked with a transitional expressions. 
• Transitional expressions are conjunctive adverbs(accordingly, also, anyway, besides, certainly, etc.) and transitional phrases (after all, as a matter of fact, as a result, at any rate, etc.)

• Use a semicolon for a list of things with punctuation within the things. 
• Ex. Common healthy foods are smoothies, with whole fruits and veggies; salads, with a lot of colorful veggies; and soups, without a lot of sodium. 

Reflection:

It seems that Samantha uses commas in her introduction within her introduction sentence. "In the teetering political environment of today, liberals and conservatives are frequently at each other's throats regarding any legislation suggested by either side." Without this comma, the sentence would not have been as easy to read and would have dragged on so it could become too long. In context, it makes you more aware of just how important commas are to sentences.

It also seems that Elliot used a comma before the quotes that surrounded the title of the article he did his rhetorical analysis on. In the article, ""Quantum and Consciousness Often Mean Nonsense" by Matthew Francis, Francis uses various rhetorical strategies in relation to the rhetorical situation to convey to his educated audience that cross-disciplinary research should be done with caution."

It also seems that Elliot forgot a comma when using an intro to his statement. "In addition(,) another attribute his audience shares is an interest in science and philosophy, specifically the subject of quantum mechanics and consciousness, given away by due to the title of the article, “Quantum and Consciousness Often Mean Nonsense”. This is if he makes an edit to the essay that someone else suggested.