3.5.w.6- Punctuation Marks

Commas

3.5.W.6

Guided Notes

Commas: In Dialogue

When characters are speaking or you are using information from another source, you are using quotes.

• Insert quotation marks before the first and last word of the speaker.
• Capitalize the first word inside a quote.

• Insert a comma to separate the quote from the narrator.

Example: “We will play outside after dinner,” said Mom.

Commas: Compound Sentence

Use a comma to combine two independent clauses into a compound sentence. It always is paired with conjunction (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) For example: I powered up my computer, and I started my homework. Tip: Always check that you have a full sentence before your comma conjunction and a full sentence after! If you don't, you don't need a comma.

Commas: Date

Use between the day and the year

Example: This year New Year’s Day was on January 1, 2020. My cousin was born on February 3, 2015.

Comma: City and State

Example: She lives in Dallas, Texas. My grandmother lives in Memphis, Tennessee.

Commas: Serial Comma

Use a comma between items in a list of 3 or more. For example: We went to the concession stand to order nachos, popcorn, and a pretzel. At the fair we saw shows, went on rides, and ate lots of good food.

Comma: In a letter

After the greeting and after the closing in a friendly letter.

Example: Dear Hanna, I want to be your friend. I am glad you moved to our neighborhood. Sincerely, Chris

Practice: Where do our commas go in this letter?

Dear Colton I hope you are doing well. I want you to visit soon! Your friend Matt

Drag the commas to the appropriate places.

Answer: This is where our commas go in this letter.

Dear Colton I hope you are doing well. I want you to visit soon! Your friend Matt

Quick Tip!

Most of the time you can tell where the commas go because your voice will pause. Read it out loud and hear where your voice naturally pauses.

Practice - Place the missing commas where they go

1. My birthday is January 15 1972. 2. I live in Denver Colorado. 3. My relatives came from England Scotland or Holland. 4. I ate a bagel and my sister ate an apple. 5. My favorite pies are cherry apple chocolate and lemon. 6. I have friends who live in Tulsa Oklahoma. 7. My phone died so I need to buy a new one.

Drag the commas to the appropriate places.

Check Your Answers:

1. My birthday is January 15, 1972. 2. I live in Denver, Colorado. 3. My relatives came from England, Scotland, or Holland. 4. I ate a bagel, and my sister ate an apple. 5. My favorite pies are cherry, apple, chocolate, and lemon. 6. I have friends who live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 7. My phone died, so I need to buy a new one.

That's all for now!