L6.2a Study guide Name __________________________
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
a. Use punctuation (commas, parentheses, dashes) to set off nonrestrictive/parenthetical elements.*
Commas in a series
Rule: Use commas to separate ____________________________ in a series. A series is ____________ or more items written one after another. The items may be single words or word groups.
Example: Sugar cane, bananas, and citrus fruits are grown in Jamaica.
Some writers do not use a comma before the conjunction and, or, or nor when it joins the last
_________________ items in a series. However, sometimes such a comma is needed to make the
______________________ clear. So we will require the comma before the conjunction to clarify the meaning.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
1. Choose the best way to write the sentence below.
We swam built sand castles and played volleyball at the beach.
A. We swam built sand castles, and played volleyball at the beach.
B. We swam, built sand castles and played volleyball at the beach.
C. We swam, built sand castles, and played volleyball at the beach.
D. correct as is
2. Choose the best way to write the sentence below.
For her birthday on September 27, my sister wants a dog and a cat and a hamster and a bird.
A. For her birthday on September 27, my sister wants a dog, and a cat, and a hamster, and a bird.
B. For her birthday on September 27, my sister wants a dog, a cat, a hamster, and a bird.
C. For her birthday on September 27, my sister wants a dog and a cat, a hamster, and a bird.
D. correct as is.
The comma in the Coordinate Adjective
Rule: “Coordinate adjectives” are adjectives placed next to each other that are ______________ in importance.
Two tests to determine whether adjectives are coordinate are the following:
1. See whether ________ can be smoothly placed between them.
2. See whether the adjectives’ order can be _________________________.
Example: We saw a happy, lively poodle.
In this example, a comma belongs between happy and lively because they are coordinate adjectives.
Test to make certain:
First, try the “and” test: We saw a happy (and) lively puppy.
And placed between the 2 adjectives sounds smooth.
Second, try reversing the adjectives: We saw a lively, happy puppy.
When the adjectives are reversed, the sentence still makes sense.
Thus, happy and lively are coordinate adjectives in the example and should be separated by a comma.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
3. Should a comma be placed in this sentence? 4. Should a comma be placed in this sentence?
Explain your reasoning. Explain your reasoning.
We saw a young golden retriever. She ate the sweet juicy apple with a vengeance.

Commas in dialogue:
Commas in dialogue:
Rule: When the dialogue tag comes ___________________________________ the spoken words, use a comma _____________________________ the quotation marks.
Example: Mrs. Talbott said, “Please get a pencil.”
Rule: If the quotation comes before the _______________________________________ and would normally end with a __________________________________, use a comma instead.
Example: “Dogs make better pets than cats do,” said Frank.
Rule: If the dialogue tag ___________________________________ a quoted sentence, a comma usually follows the first part of the __________________________________ and a second comma follows the ___________________________________.
Example: “Oh,” Donna commented, “he’s probably just saying that because he’s never had a cat.”
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
5. Choose the best way to revise this sentence.
Barbara asked Who will bring the sandwiches and drinks?
A. Barbara asked “Who will bring the sandwiches and drinks?”
B. Barbara asked, ”Who will bring the sandwiches and drinks?”
C. Barbara asked, “Who will bring the sandwiches, and drinks?”
D. Barbara asked, “Who will bring the sandwiches, and, drinks?”
6. Choose the best way to revise this sentence.
Clementine Hunter’s early artwork was painted on brown paper bags and cardboard boxes Maria remarked and later she worked on canvas wood and paper.
A. “Clementine Hunter’s early artwork was painted on brown paper bags and cardboard boxes,” Maria remarked,
“and later she worked on canvas, wood, and paper.”
B. “Clementine Hunter’s early artwork was painted on brown paper bags and cardboard boxes,” Maria remarked
“and later she worked on canvas, wood, and paper.”
C. “Clementine Hunter’s early artwork was painted on brown paper bags and cardboard boxes” Maria remarked,
“and later she worked on canvas wood and paper”.
D. “Clementine Hunter’s early artwork was painted on brown paper bags and cardboard boxes” Maria remarked,
“and later she worked on canvas, wood, and paper.”
Compound Sentences
Rule: Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet to join two __________________ clauses that form a __________________________ sentence.
Example: He will be elected tomorrow, and he will be a good leader.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
7. Choose the best way to revised this sentence
No students stood in line so Mary walked straight to the registration table. a.
No students stood in line so, Mary walked straight to the registration table. b.
No students stood in line, so Mary walked straight to the registration table. c.
No students, stood in line so Mary walked straight to the registration table. d.
Correct as is
8. Choose the best way to revised this sentence
The band and the cheerleaders gave the team plenty of support. a. The band, and the cheerleaders gave the team plenty of support.
b. The band and, the cheerleaders gave the team plenty of support.
c. The band and the cheerleaders, gave the team plenty of support.
d. correct as is

Interrupters
Rule: Use commas to set off an expression that ______________________________________ a sentence. __________ commas are used to set off an interrupting expression – one before and one after the expression. If an interrupter comes at the _________________________ or
___________________________ of the sentence, only one comma is needed.
Example: My favorite gospel singers, BeBe and CeCe Winans, were on TV last night.
As you leave, Jesse, please close the door quietly.
Yes, I’ll call back later.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
9. Use commas to punctuate the sentence correctly:
Our hosts Mr. and Mrs. Worthington greeted us at the entrance.
10. Choose the best way to write this sentence.
A. How long have you worked here, David?
B. How, long have you worked here, David?
C. How long, have you worked here David?
D. How long have you worked, here David?
Commas in appositives
Rule: Use commas to set off appositives and appositive phrases that are
__________________________________ to the meaning of a sentence. An appositive is a
____________ or a ______________________________ that identifies or describes another noun or pronoun beside it. An appositive phrase is an appositive with its _____________________________.
Example: A gymnast, Mrs. Shaw, will coach us. (Mrs. Shaw identifies the gymnast.)
This book is about geology, the science of the earth and its rocks. (The science of the earth and its rocks is an appositive phrase that identifies geology.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
11. Choose the best way to revise this sentence.
A. The park a beautiful place for a party was lit by streetlights and had a bandstand.
B. The park, a beautiful place for a party was lit by streetlights and had a bandstand.
C. The park, a beautiful place for a party, was lit by streetlights and had a bandstand.
D. The park a beautiful place for a party, was lit by streetlights and had a bandstand.
12. Choose the best way to revise this sentence.
A. Do you see an empty table a quiet place for conversation?
B. Do you see an empty table, a quiet place for, conversation?
C. Do you see, an empty table, a quiet place for conversation?
D. Do you see an empty table, a quiet place for conversation?
Introductory Words, Phrases, and Clauses
Rule: Introductory clauses are ___________________________ clauses that provide background information or "set the stage" for the main part of the sentence, the independent clause.
 After yes, no, or any mild ___________________________. (Yes, you may use my pencil.)

 After two or more introductory ___________________________________ phrases (In the valley at the base of the hill, a herd of buffalo graze.
 After an introductory _____________________________ (If they want to win, athletes must exercise every day.)
 After a _______________________ introductory prepositional phrase (On a winter morning when Kenon discovered the strange visitor, the rosebush was in full bloom.)
 If an introductory prepositional phrase is short, a comma is
____________________________l. (In the morning, we’ll tour the zoo. or In the morning we’ll tour the zoo.)
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
13. Choose the best way to revised this sentence
Throughout the land the king ruled with an iron fist. a.
Throughout, the land the king ruled with an iron fist.
14. Choose the best way to revised this sentence
However the fire burned rapidly. a.
However, the fire burned rapidly. b.
However the fire burned, rapidly. c.
However the fire, burned rapidly. b.
Throughout the land the king, ruled with an iron fist. d.
Correct as is c.
Throughout the land, the king ruled with an iron fist. d.
Correct as is
Commas in conventional situations:
Rule: Place a comma between the ________________ and year.
Example: I was born on July 17, 1988.
Rule: Place a comma between the _____________________ and __________________in an address.
Example: Do you currently live in Columbia, South Carolina?
Note that a comma is used to separate the _______________________ item in a date or in an address from the words that follow it. However, a comma does NOT separate a ________________ from a
________________________ (July 17) or a _________________________________ from a
______________________________________________ (8000 Alexandria Pike).
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
15. Choose the best way to write the sentence below:
I was born in, Los Angeles, California and later moved to,
Detroit, Michigan.
A. I was born in Los Angeles California, and later moved to
Detroit Michigan.
B. I was born in Los Angeles, California, and later moved to
Detroit Michigan.
C. I was born in Los Angeles, California and later moved to
Detroit, Michigan.
D. correct as is
Restrictive vs. Nonrestrictive clauses
16. Choose the best way to write the sentence below:
Today is Monday, October 14, 2013.
A. Today is Monday October, 14 2013.
B. Today is Monday October 14, 2013.
C. Today is Monday, October 14 2013.
D. Correct as is
Restrictive
An adjective clause that ____________________ be omitted from a sentence without affecting the basic meaning of the sentence. Restrictive clauses should not be set off by
________________________________________.

Example: The package that came last Tuesday is on your desk
Nonrestrictive
An adjective clause that ________________________________ be omitted from a sentence without affecting the basic meaning of the sentence should be set off by commas. Nonrestrictive clauses __________________________ begin with “that.”
Example: John Wayne, who appeared in over 200 movies, was the biggest box-office attraction of his time.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
17. Is the underlined clause restrictive or nonrestrictive?
Explain your reasoning.
The newspaper that is on the table has an interesting article on polar bears.
18. Is the underlined clause restrictive or nonrestrictive?
Explain your reasoning.
Professor Hatch, who teaches English 101, is an excellent professor.
Parentheses
Rule: Use parentheses to enclose material that is added to a sentence but is not considered of
________________________________ importance.
Example: Central Park (it’s two and a half miles long) is a New York City attraction.
Text enclosed in parentheses may be as short as a _____________________________ or as long as a short sentence. A short sentence in parentheses may _________________________________ or be contained within another sentence. Notice that a parenthetical sentence within a sentence is not capitalized and has no ______________________________________________________.
Examples: Please be quiet and respectful during the ceremony. (Turn off your cell phones.)
The first metal-framed skyscraper (it was ten stories tall) was built in Chicago in
1885.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
19. Choose the best way to revise this sentence.
A. Electricity became widespread during the industrialization of the United States 1870-1916.
B. Electricity became widespread during the industrialization of the United States, 1870-1916.
C. Electricity became widespread during the industrialization of the United States (1870-1916).
D. Electricity became widespread during the industrialization of the United States --1870-1916.
Dashes
20. Re-write the sentence using parentheses.
Thomas Edison did not have a formal education his mother taught him at home, but he became a millionaire before he was fifty.
Rule: Use a dash to enclose material that needs a _______________________________ emphasis.
Example: We went to Central Park for a picnic – it was such fun—on Sunday afternoon.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
21. Why did the author of “Ta-Na-E-Ka” use dashes instead of parentheses in the sentence below?
“No other Indian tribe—and I’ve spent half a lifetime researching the subject — treated women more ‘equally’ than the Kaw.”
22. Choose the best way to revise the sentence below:
A. I knew the material perfectly until test day.
B. I knew the material perfectly (until test day).
C. I knew the material perfectly, until test day.
D. I knew the material perfectly—until test day.