7 using commas with nonessential information, lists, and transitional words desktop

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LessonSeven: UsingCommaswith
Nonessential Information, Lists,and
Transitional Words
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Today’s Class
Review
Lesson six: using punctuation for emphasis.
Learn
What are the punctuation rules for nonessential information, lists, and
transition words.
Practice
Write sentences and work on your essay.
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review lessonsix

5
___ are stronger than ___ which are stronger than ___.
a) dashes, parentheses, commas c) commas, dashes, parentheses
b) parentheses, commas, dashes d) commas, parentheses, dashes
https://www.practical-thinking.com/en/

6
A semicolon between independent clauses means that ____.
a) the second clause is more
important
c) both clauses are equally
important
b) the first clause is more important

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A colon between independent clauses means that the second clause is
more important.
a) the second clause is more
important
c) both clauses are equally
important
b) the first clause is more important

nonessential
information

Essential and Nonessential Clauses
What is an essential clause?
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An essential clause adds necessary information about
something you have mentioned in a sentence. Essential clauses are
often introduced by that, who, whom, whose. Don’t use commas with
an essential clause.
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An essential clause adds necessary information about
something you have mentioned in a sentence. Essential clauses are
often introduced by that, who, whom, whose. Don’t use commas with
an essential clause.
The café that Chester recommended is a fantastic restaurant.
The clause “that Chester recommended” is essential information in the
sentence above. If you removed it, there would be no way to tell
which restaurant you were talking about.
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Examples of essential clauses:
1. The hotel that you stayed in yesterday is a five-star hotel.
2. The tea that is from China is excellent.
3. The computer that I bought last month is broken now.
4. The book whose author is my sister isn’t very famous.
5. The lady who is wearing the yellow skirt is my sister.
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What is a nonessential clause?
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A nonessential clause offers extra information about something you
have mentioned in a sentence, but the information isn’t essential to
identify what you’re talking about. Nonessential clauses are usually
introduced by which or who. Use commas with nonessential clauses.
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A nonessential clause offers extra information about something you
have mentioned in a sentence, but the information isn’t essential to
identify what you’re talking about. Nonessential clauses are usually
introduced by which or who. Use commas with nonessential clauses.
Posey’s Café, which Chester recommended, is a fantastic restaurant.
The clause “which Chester recommended” is a nonessential because
“Posey’s Café” is already specific. Identifying it as the restaurant
recommended by Chester doesn’t make the meaning any clearer.
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Examples of nonessential clauses:
1.Canada, the second largest country in the world, contains many
fresh water lakes and mineral resources.
2.Eric, who works hard in the company, is appreciated by his
manager.
3. Real Canadian Superstore, which is one of largest groceries in
Canada, is open from 7am to 11pm.
4. Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, is one of coldest city in Canada.
5. Canada, the country north of the USA, is a friendly and great
country.
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Why is this example incorrect?
My wife whom I love dearly is a brilliant doctor.
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Why is this example incorrect?
My wife whom I love dearly is a brilliant doctor.
The clause “whom I love dearly” is nonessential because you could
remove it and it would still be clear that you’re talking about ‘my
wife’. You need to use commas with a nonessential clause.
My wife, whom I love dearly, is a brilliant doctor.
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Write two sentences with a nonessential clause.
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lists

You need a comma after each item in a series. The final comma is optional, so I’d
use it just to be safe. Put a colon at the end of an independent clause, but before
a list.
a) I brought over four shirts: a pink, a purple, a black, and an orange one.
b) When you come over, bring four shirts: a pink, a purple, a black, and an orange
one.
You can also use semicolons in a list to increase clarity if the items in the list contain
commas.
c) I brought John, my uncle; Tammy, my aunt; and Miranda, my sister, to the
movie.
I brought x; y; and z to the movie.
d) I’ve lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Hamilton, Ontario; and Red Deer, Alberta.
I’ve lived in x; y; and z.
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Lists
Correct the punctuation in this sentence.
These may be generalizations but it is said that the Atlantic provinces (the
Maritimes and Newfoundland and Labrador) are somewhat reserved and
old-fashioned Ontario is business-like and conservative and people in
Western Canada (Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan) are seen as open
and friendly.
answer
These may be generalizations but it is said that the Atlantic provinces (the
Maritimes and Newfoundland and Labrador) are somewhat reserved and
old-fashioned; Ontario is business-like and conservative; and people in
Western Canada (Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan) are seen as open
and friendly.
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Lists
Write two sentences with a list.
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transitionalwords

1. What is a transition?
2. What purpose do transitional words/phrases serve in writing?
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1. What is a transition?
2. What purpose do transitional words/phrases serve in writing?
1. A transition is a change from one thing or place to another.
2. Transitional words/phrases help the reader interpret the information
you’re giving them. They show the relationships between your
ideas and give your writing flow.
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the purpose some transitional words/phrases
to add and, furthermore
to compare whereas, but
to prove because, in fact
to show contrast nevertheless, although
to show time then, next
to repeat as I have said, in brief
to emphasize undeniably, never
to show sequence first, simultaneously
to give an example for instance, in this case
to conclude therefore, thus

When you use a transitional word/phrase, put a comma afterwards.
Self-promotion is normal and expected in the workplace. Simultaneously,
you need to highlight the good work of your coworkers. For instance, when
you want to promote a project you successfully completed, use the
pronouns ‘we’ not ‘I’ to show that it was a team effort. Furthermore, giving
specific praise to coworkers for their contributions shows that you were really
paying attention.
Write a few sentences and connect them with transitional words/phrases.
You can use the ones in this presentation, or one of your own choosing.
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Let’s Write!

Canadian culture is very informal; dress codes are uncommon and people
often go by their first names. What is better in your opinion an informal or
formal culture?
Discuss this question with your classmates.
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Canadian culture is very informal; dress codes are uncommon and people
often go by their first names. What is better in your opinion an informal or
formal culture?
Write your outline.
main idea:____
idea one:____
idea two:____
Then write the paragraphs for your ideas. If you want, you can write the
introductory paragraph, but you should do that at the end.
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Homework

send your homework to your teacher on Skype today
example title: 2 – Aug 4 – Lin
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Please send me your outline and your writing so I can give you more feedback.
After you read my feedback, change your outline/writing and send them back to
me for more feedback.

Questions?
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The content of this lesson was developed using the article:
Understanding workplace culture: 5 keys to success in the Canadian
workplace.
Many thanks to Cyrlin Loza for writing this article!

resources
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Definitions and sentences adapted from the Longman and Merriam-
Webster dictionaries
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/punctuation/punctuation
/punctuation_in_sentences.html
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/mechanics/transitions_an
d_transitional_devices/transitional_devices.html
https://livelearn.ca/article/about-canada/canadian-cultural-values-
and-beliefs/

Thankyou!
Nastashya Wall
204-946-5140 ex. 201
nwall@myenglishonline.ca
livelearn.ca

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