Peace In The Margins

My time of recent has been primarily focused on editing other projects. From congratulations cards to legislation to reports to essays, I’ve discovered a new love for commas. Okay…maybe not commas specifically, but they have been at the forefront of my thoughts. So much so that a fellow co-worker is now sending me memes about commas. 

In all seriousness, the comma is an important and often misunderstood punctuation mark. Nanette Avery said, 

“Let it be known, I am a fan of the comma; it gives cadence to my witting. Those who disagree are in their usual hurried state…not giving pause where a breath is due.” 

A comma is so much more than a simple pause. It separates phases, sentences, full trains of thought, and clarifies individual items in a listed series. It gives us humans small doses of language so our pea-brains are able to interpret the meaning of a series of words. Here are a few rules of thumb:

1. Commas separate items in a series
2. Commas come BEFORE the conjunction
3. Commas separate two COMPLETE sentences
4. The comma goes INSIDE the quotation marks (matter of fact, ALL punctuation goes inside the quotation marks)
5. Use a comma after an introductory phrase ONLY IF you can remove the phrase, and the sentence is still complete

Now, I know there are many more rules for commas – as there are with any punctuation. And I know that there is some leeway for author’s discretion. The only hard and fast suggestion I have is remain consistent. As a writer, nothing is more frustrating than changing the rules mid game. Be consistent. 

And yes, my friends, the Oxford comma is an absolute must. 

Until next time,

Alicia