The document is a lesson on proper comma usage. It provides five rules for using commas and examples of correct and incorrect sentences that illustrate each rule. The rules cover using commas after introductory phrases, to separate items in a list, to set off non-restrictive elements, with coordinate adjectives, and before coordinating conjunctions joining independent clauses. The lesson concludes with a short quiz testing the reader's understanding of applying one of the comma rules.

1. Dana Frank
M 7-10pm

2. Job Application
My name is Jane Doe and I am 16 years old.
I have worked as a baby sitter dog walker and
painter. I am still in high school however I can still
work on school days. I am a very intelligent
outgoing person looking to help. I am young but I
can assure you that your business will not be let
down.

3. Rule 1:
“Use a comma after an introductory
phrase.”
WRONG:
My name is Jane Doe and I am 15 years old.
RIGHT:
My name is Jane Doe, and I am 15
years old.

4. Rule 2:
“Use a comma to separate items in a
series.”
WRONG:
I have worked as a baby sitter dog walker and painter.
RIGHT:
I have worked as baby sitter, dog
walker, and painter.

5. Rule 3:
“Use commas to set off non-restrictive elements and other
parenthetical elements. A non-restrictive modifier is a phrase or
clause that does not restrict or limit the meaning of the word it is
modifying. It is, in a sense, interrupting material that adds extra
information to a sentence.”
WRONG:
I am still in high school however I can still work on school
days.
RIGHT:
I am still in high school, however, I can
still work on school days.

6. Rule 4:
“A comma should be used to separate coordinate
adjectives. Coordinate adjectives are a series of
adjectives that modify a single noun.”
WRONG:
I am a very intelligent outgoing person looking to help.
RIGHT:
I am a very intelligent, outgoing
person looking to help.

7. Rule 5:
“Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that
joins independent clauses (unless the independent
clauses are very short.”
WRONG:
I am young but I can assure you that your business will
not be let down.
RIGHT:
I am young, but I can assure you
that your business will not be let

8. For And Nor But Or Yet So

9. Revised Job Application
My name is Jane Doe, and I am 16 years old. I have
worked as a baby sitter, dog walker, and painter. I am
still in high school, however, I can still work on school
days. I am a very intelligent, outgoing person looking
to help. I am young, but I can assure you that your
business will not be let down.

10. TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE!
Jimmy has to buy milk eggs bread and orange juice from
the grocery store. Which sentence is appropriately
punctuated?
A. Jimmy has to buy milk eggs bread
and, orange juice from the grocery
store.
B. Jimmy has to buy milk, eggs, bread
and orange juice from the grocery
store.
C. Jimmy has to buy milk, eggs, bread,
and orange juice from the grocery
store.

11. TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE!
Jimmy has to buy milk eggs bread and orange juice from
the grocery store. Which sentence is appropriately
punctuated?
A. Jimmy has to buy milk eggs bread
and, orange juice from the grocery
store.
B. Jimmy has to buy milk, eggs, bread
and orange juice from the grocery
store.
C. Jimmy has to buy
milk, eggs, bread, and orange
juice from the grocery store.

12. TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE!
Which comma rule does this sentence follow? I have no
coat on, but I still do not have goose bumps.
A. Use a comma after an
introductory adverb
clause.
B. Use a comma after a
coordinate
conjunction.
C. Use a comma to set off
non-restrictive
elements.

13. TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE!
Which comma rule does this sentence follow? I have no
coat on, but I still do not have goose bumps.
A. Use a comma after an
introductory adverb
clause.
B. Use a comma before a
coordinate
conjunction.
C. Use a comma to set off
non-restrictive
elements.

14. TRADE WITH
ANOTHER GROUP
AND TAKE THEIR
QUIZ!

15. Donovan, Melissa. "Punctuation Marks: The Comma." Writing
Forward. Melissa Donovan, 1 July 2009. Web. 26 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.writingforward.com/about-creative-
writing/privacy-policy>.
Peck, Frances. "The Comma." The Writing Center. University
Of Ottawa, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.writingcentre.uottawa.ca/hypergrammar/comm
a.html>.
SnorgTees. "Comma Chameleon." SnorgTees. N.p., n.d. Web.
26 Feb. 2012. <http://www.snorgtees.com/ comma-
chameleon>.