Transcript Commas – A Digital Unit

Commas – A Digital Unit
Language Arts 8
Comma Unit
Introduction

You will be using this PowerPoint to enter
the digital world of commas. Read each
slide carefully. Complete the examples
you are given, and record any information
that you might find helpful on your comma
note sheet. Click on the arrows to
advance to the next slide!
*Be sure to take notes!*
What to Expect?

During this digital unit, you can
expect to read a good bit of
information about various types of
commas. You can also expect to
encounter many practice activities
that will help reinforce your
learning. Be prepared to take a final
test on all of the information
presented here!
Let’s Begin!!!

Don’t forget to take notes!
Part I: Back to Basics!
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The following slides will present some basic
comma information. Much of the following
should be a review. But it is still important
to read through and take notes! We will
cover the areas of:
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Back to Basics
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The Comma
Phrases and Clauses
Independent Clauses
Compound Sentences
What is a Comma?
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A comma is a
punctuation mark
that indicates a
pause is needed in
a sentence.
Commas help to
clarify meaning
for the reader.
The Terminology!
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A clause is a group
of words that
contains both a
subject and a verb
that complement
each other.
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Examples will
follow!
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A phrase is a
group of words
that does not
contain a subject
or a verb that
complement each
other.
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She bought some
peaches when she
went to the
corner store.
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Independent Clauses
A complete sentence
has two components, a
Subject and a Verb.
The subject and verb
must form a complete
thought to be
considered an
independent clause.
An independent clause
is a single, complete
sentence with one single
thought.
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S
V
The Couple Dances.
S
V
The boy laughed.
S
V
The dog barked.
S
V
The girl sang.
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Compound Sentences
A sentence that contains
two independent clauses
joined by a coordinating
conjunction is called a
compound sentence. (Two
complete sentences
joined by a comma AND
coordinating
conjunction).
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A conjunction joins
words, phrases, and
clauses together in a
sentence.
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Conjunctions
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for
and
nor
but
or
yet
so
FAN BOYS
Commas in Compound
Sentences
The comma in a compound
sentence is placed
before the coordinating
conjunction.
Andy built a snowman, and Jeff
played with his dog.
Mr. Raitano said to complete the
comma unit, but the students
played on the internet.
Bill bought the
ingredients, so
Leah baked the
cake.
Compound Sentences:
Exercise 1
Directions: Click on the word that the comma should
be attached to. When you are finished, advance
to the next slide.
1. Dan struggled with his homework so his father
helped him.
2. The test was important and he failed miserably.
3. The girl did not go home nor did she go to the
game.
Part II: Moving on Up!

The following slides will present some
more advanced comma information.
Much of the following should still be a
review. Be sure to take notes on
anything that you think will be helpful:

Moving on Up!
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Dependent Clauses
Introductory Clauses
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Dependent Clause
A dependent clause
contains a subject and
a verb, but the clause
is NOT a complete
sentence! It cannot
stand alone.
Dependent clauses can
often be identified by
the use of dependent
clause markers.
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Some dependent clause markers:
because
though
since
although
when
unless
while
after
until
before
if
once
as
whether
AAAWWUBBIS – MEMORIZE THESE WORDS?
They begin SUBORDINATE/DEPENDENT
CLAUSES
A – AS
A – ALTHOUGH
A – AFTER
W –WHILE
W –WHEN
U – UNTIL (UNLESS)
B – BECAUSE
B – BEFORE
I – IF
S - SINCE
Dependent Phrases and
Clauses
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Dependent phrases and
clauses help to clarify and
add detail to an independent
clause.
Dependent clauses may
appear at the beginning,
middle, or end of a
sentence.
DEPENDENT CLAUSES ARE
NOT COMPLETE
SENTENCES! THEY
CANNOT STAND ALONE!
Dependent Clauses serving as
Introductory Clauses.
The following rules apply when using a dependent clause at the beginning of a
sentence. This is often referred to as an introductory clause.
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When a dependent
clause is placed at
the beginning of a
sentence, place a
comma between
the independent
clause and the
dependent clause.
EXAMPLE: When Mary called 911, the firemen rushed to her rescue.
Independent Clause
Dependent Clauses serving as
Introductory Clauses.
During
the game, the boy ate the pizza.
As the rain fell, the sky turned darker and darker.
Since the girls won, the boys had to wear dresses to school.
Though we lost, the coach still took us out for ice cream.
Before we left home, we all went to the bathroom.
Unless you take the quiz, you are going to fail for the nine weeks.
NOTE:
When dependent
clauses come at the
beginning of the
sentence, you MUST
use a comma before
moving to the
independent clause.
Dependent/Introductory
Independent
Clause
Notice the independent
clause is a COMPLETE
SENTENCE. It CAN stand
alone!
Clause
Dependent/Introductory
Clause Practice!
Directions: Click on the word that the comma should be
attached to. Be sure to review dependent clauses if you
are struggling.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Once we had arrived we were greeted like royalty.
During the movie we ate all of the popcorn.
Though he was the new kid he already had a great deal of
friends.
Before he could speak his mother was already scolding
him.
Until he told the truth the judge was going to keep him
locked up.
Dependent Clauses at the
END of a sentence!
When a dependent clause is located after an
independent clause, DO NOT place a
comma between the two.
Complete Sentence
Not a Complete Sentence
I went on the roller coaster because my brother dared me.
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause
NO COMMA
Complete Sentence
Not a Complete Sentence
I became very sick when the roller coaster did circles.
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause
NO COMMA
Dependent Clauses at the
END of a sentence!
He was winning the race until he fell down.
CORRECT
-
INCORRECT
I stole the bike, because my friend told me to.
CORRECT
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INCORRECT
I ran all the way home since I was being chased.
CORRECT
-
INCORRECT
The girl couldn’t believe he agreed, after everything
that had happened.
CORRECT
-
INCORRECT
Part IV: To Be or Not
to Be (a comma error)
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The next set of comma rules are fairly common
and you should be familiar with them. These
examples are mistakes that are often made
the most. Some will be old, and some will be
new, but we need to know if the comma should
be there, or if it should not be there.
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To Be or Not to Be!
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Commas in a Series
Commas with Adjectives
Dates and Addresses
Letter or Email
8 Commas in a Series
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Place commas in a sentence to
divide items in a list.
The commas will help the
reader to avoid confusion.
The comma before the
conjunction is required.
Commas in a Series
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Commas should be
placed in a series of
words, phrases, or
clauses.
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Look at the following
sentences. Notice
where the commas are!
1. Martina brushed her hair,
put on her pajamas, and went
to bed.
2. She fell asleep and dreamed that
she was a princess, she kissed a frog,
and she rescued her prince.
The commas
separate
the items
in the
series!
Sentence Structure:
Commas in a Series
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Notice how
important
correct comma
usage is in the
statements to
the right. It
can be very
confusing to the
reader if
commas are
used improperly,
or not used at
all.
Consider the difference in the
following:
Last month, Alex dated Mary Ann Lee
and Kim.
How many girls did Alex date?
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Last
Lee,
Last
Lee,
month, Alex dated Mary, Ann,
and Kim.
month, Alex dated Mary Ann,
and Kim.
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Commas with adjectives
Use commas to separate adjectives that provide an equal
description of a noun.
big blue house
three hungry kittens
a cranky, mean man
The big and blue house (um no) The blue big house (um no)
The three and hungry kittens (no) The hungry three kittens (eh)
The cranky and mean man (YES) The mean, cranky man (YES)
THE TEST:
~Can you put “and” between the adjectives?
~Can they be described in reverse order?
IF YES – USE A COMMA!
To Be, Or Not to Be!
Practice…
I really wanted to buy the pink shoes, the yellow hat, the
orange gloves and the green socks.
CORRECT
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INCORRECT
He had to speak to the strange, smelly old man.
CORRECT
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INCORRECT
The party was being held at 307 Writing Lab Way,
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania on Monday, November 11.
CORRECT
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INCORRECT
Dear Mom, Thanks for everything! With Love, Leah.
CORRECT
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INCORRECT
To Correct a Comma Splice
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Insert a conjunction between the two independent clauses.
Start a new sentence.
Insert a semi-colon between the two independent clauses
(only in cases where the independent clauses are closely
related in topic).
•We had a nice time, and I hope we can meet again soon.
•We had a nice time. I hope we can meet again soon.
•The Internet has revolutionized the business world; online
sales have increased dramatically this year.
ALMOST FINISHED!!
Compound Sentences 1
Compound Sentences 1
Dependent/Introductory 1
Dependent/Introductory 1
Dependent Clause 1
Dependent Clause 1
Essential Phrase 1
Essential Phrase 1
Non-Essential Phrase 1
Non-Essential Phrase 1
Mixed Bag 1
Mixed Bag 1
Contrasting Elements 1
Contrasting Elements 1
To Be, or Not to Be 1
To Be, or Not to Be 1
Comma Splice 1
Comma Splice 1
So Ends Day 1 of Commas!
You can use this time to
review or end the show.
I recommend reviewing your
information. If you decide you
are finished, you will be given
comma worksheets to complete!