ABE Writing: Commas and Capitalization

Time for more grammar! Hooray!

Ok, so maybe you're not as excited as I am, but get excited! We're becoming better writers every day!

Most people in my class do fairly well with capitalization rules, so we will start there and give them a quick review. Then, we will discuss commas in some depth, and I'll link to some cool comma-related videos.

Capitalization

Last week, we covered the parts of speech. We did so because it's a lot easier to talk about grammar rules when we all know the grammar vocabulary (i.e. noun, adjective, verb, etc.). For capitalization rules, we will mostly look at nouns (people, places, things) and adjectives (descriptive words, names). Nouns and adjectives that are capitalized are called Proper. There are some basic capitalization rules that most people know. Here's a PowToon for review:

Many people struggle with whether or not to capitalize people's titles -- like Doctor Rodriguez or Aunt Lisa. If you are calling someone by their title, do capitalize; if you are referencing their position, don't capitalize.
Examples:

• The president of the company is Teresa Chasteen.
• Please tell President Chasteen I stopped by to see her.
• I'm going to see the doctor.
• I'm going to see Doctor Rodriguez.
• My aunts, Lisa and Sue, are coming to the party.
• Aunt Lisa and Aunt Sue are coming to the party.

Commas: The Great Separators!

There are 5 comma rules that you need to know. If you really want to get grammar happy, check out the Purdue OWL comma rules for an extended list. But for now, let's review the 5 comma rules we need for ABE:

1. Use commas to separate items or phrases in a series.
   Examples:
   I came into my office, turned on the lights, and sat down behind my desk.
   Tonight, we are going to eat soup, salad, and sandwiches.
2. Use commas to separate cities/states/zip codes, day-of-the-week/month, and days/years.
   Examples:
   I live in Dallas, Texas.
   I'm arriving Thursday, June 26.
   Her wedding is June 27, 2014. 
3. Use commas to set off unnecessary information (appositives, interrupters).
   Examples:
   My friends, Molly and Aaron, went to the festival.
   She was, of course, the most sober woman in the room.
   He, however, was the most drunk.
4. Use commas before conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when compounding two complete sentences.
   Examples:
   I wanted to go with you to the dance, but I had to drop my sister off at soccer practice.
   We felt sorry for the dog, so we adopted him.
5. Use commas to break a dependent and independent thought when a sentence begins with a subordinating conjunction (because, since, while, although, even though, whenever, if, unless).
   Examples:
   Because you are trustworthy, I will tell you my secret.
   Even though I love chocolate, I hate truffles.

Here's a video that reinforces rules 4 and 5:

Hopefully, this lesson will clear up some of your punctuation confusion!

Until next week!
Jc