The document discusses the importance of the Oxford comma, emphasizing that its inclusion can change the meaning of sentences. It advises against wordiness by suggesting the use of strong verbs and provides punctuation rules, particularly regarding introductory elements and coordinating conjunctions. The document also includes links to resources for further grammar exercises and readability statistics.

1. The Oxford or Serial Comma

2. Link to Slide 1 Screenshot
• http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/426960/we-need-oxford-comma-
michael-r-strain

3. Oxford Comma, part 2
It is never wrong to include the Oxford comma, but it can
sometimes be wrong to omit it.

4. The Appositive Phrase---an appositive is a phrase
that further identifies the word it follows.
Joe Schmoe, the co-chair of the Emergence 2017 Task Force announced the replacement
for the law firm of Grifter, Scamme, and Chase.
OR
Joe Schmoe, the co-chair of the Emergence 2017 Task Force, announced the replacement
for the law firm of Grifter, Scamme, and Chase.
Why does the second comma change the meaning?

5. Avoid Wordiness
Use strong, vivid verbs instead of excessively wordy statements. Avoid overusing words
ending in -tion.
The committee looked at several options and then agreed to use the Emergence 2017 plan
to shut down six plants.
OR
The committee opted to use the Emergence 2017 plan to shut down six plants.

6. End an introductory element with a comma.
Punctuation Rule #1. (see attachment for words that ordinarily start sentences in this
category)
If a sentence includes one of the following words as the first word in the sentence, then it
is almost always the case that a comma is necessary at the end of the group of words
initiated by that word.
Whenever I see this mistake, I will deduct points from your assignment.
As the course progresses, the deduction for making the same mistake over and over again
will increase.

7. Words that usually begin introductory word groups
• Subordinating Conjunctions:
• http://www.chompchomp.com/terms/subordinateconjunction.htm
• Prepositions:
• http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/preposition_list.htm

8. Coordinating Conjunctions
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when the coordinating conjunction is
separating groups of words that can exist as complete sentences. There are seven
coordinating conjunctions: and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet.
The time is right, so you should ask them now.

9. Their . . . they’re . . . there
http://www.grammar-monster.com/easily_confused/there_their_theyre.htm

10. Its . . . it’s
http://www.grammar-monster.com/easily_confused/its_its.htm

11. Possessive apostrophes
bird house’s for sale
Bird houses for sale
Bird’s house is for sale
Birds house is for sale

12. Microsoft Word Readability Statistics

13. Readability Statistics in
Microsoft Word

14. Grammarly

15. Link to Review Excercise
• Use this link to access and complete the sample quiz on today’s presentation.
If the link does not work for you, email me at asalachi@gmail.com, and I
will forward a link to you.
• https://goo.gl/forms/Ru2ZOpLLJonSMAlJ3