Handouts
Students often sprinkle commas through their papers as if they were shaking pepper out of a pepper shaker. Saying "I thought there should be one" or "There seemed to be a pause" are not rules for comma use. But commas are important. They help the reader. Without them, a reader would often have to go back and reread a sentence to find out exactly what the writer meant. Actually you need only seven comma rules. Master these seven rules, and your writing will be easier to read.
1. Put a comma before and, but, for, or, nor, yet, & so when they connect two independent clauses.
2. Put a comma between items in a series.
3. Put a comma after an introductory expression that doesn't flow smoothly into the sentence.
4. Put commas around the name of a person spoken to.
5. Put commas around an interrupter, like however, moreover, therefore, etc.
6. Put commas around nonessential material.
7. Use commas to set off verbs of saying from direct quotations.