1. Commas Commas are a primary divider. Commas are used when linking two clauses. These can be independent or dependent. When linking clauses, a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, yet, so) will connect them together with a comma. Puzzle wanted to take a nap, but Meow demanded to continue doing surveillance on the squirrel. Puzzle wanted to take a nap, but Meow demanded to continue doing surveillance on the squirrel.

2. Coordinate Elements Use commas when you are dealing with a series of three or more coordinate elements. These are elements that are joined by a coordinating conjunction. In their last three matches, Queens Park Rangers played Arsenal, MK Dons, and Wigan Athletic. In their last three matches, Queens Park Rangers played Arsenal, MK Dons, and Wigan Athletic. If there is already a comma in the sentence, use a semicolon. In a list ending with and use a comma before and so it is clear all elements are part of a list. The downtown area includes a bakery, a florist, a small supermarket with an excellent butcher, and a bookstore. The downtown area includes a bakery, a florist, a small supermarket with an excellent butcher, and a bookstore. 3. Coordinate Adjectives Coordinate adjectives need a comma unless they are joined by a conjunction already. She brushed her long, shiny, hair. She brushed her long, shiny, hair. The baby was tired and cranky and wet. The baby was tired and cranky and wet. 4. Nonrestrictive Elements Use commas to set off nonrestrictive elements, also known as a parenthetical expression/clause, which supply information not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Alice Munro, who I had not read yet, won the literature award. Alice Munro, who I had not read yet, won the literature award. Unless you are dealing with a person, remember you will use which instead of that or who when dealing with nonrestrictive elements (see pronouns slides). He went to the store, which opens around noon. He went to the store, which opens around noon. The house, which is blue, sold quickly. The house, which is blue, sold quickly. Versus... The house that is blue sold quickly. The house that is blue sold quickly. GG on restrictive information... http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/why-commas-matter 5. Transitional Words & Phrases Transitional words or phrases will be set off by a comma. Nevertheless, the band still played the gig. Transition After her first class, Jennifer went to the library. Time Transition After I arrive on campus, my first stop is Professor Wend's class. Process Transition 6. Dependent Clauses A dependent clause that offsets the rest of a sentence is normally offset by a comma. When aliens came to Earth, many people died in the great battles. When aliens came to Earth, many people died in the great battles. 7. Final Thoughts... When dealing with a quote, commas go inside the quotes. Montfort's work, important to modern interactive fiction, is today's lecture topic (43). Comma goes inside the quote. 8. Look For Clues... Look for an independent clause... One independent, one dependent IC , DC Do you see two independent clauses? IC , CC IC Parenthetical clauses Lists of elements Be consistent in your comma usage 9. Listen Grammar Girl Episode 356 has nice general audience comments about commas. Episode 371 has a lot about avoiding the comma splice. Grammar Girl has also discussed serial commas (she agrees with me). 10. Listen Grammar Girl Episode 356 has nice general audience comments about commas. Episode 371 has a lot about avoiding the comma splice. Grammar Girl has also discussed serial commas (she agrees with me).