The Serial Comma

1
The Serial Comma

• Did You Make the List?

2
Introduction

• Commas can separate items or actions written in a
  series.
• Lists consist of three or more items or actions.
• Two items or actions are a pair, not a list, and
  do not require commas.
• A comma separating the last item in a series may
  be omitted if and or or stand in and separate the
  last item. Its an issue of style.

3
Parallelism

• When we look at actions in a series, we have
  another opportunity to look at agreement, tense,
  and parallelism.
• Parallelism is about making things match.
• If I write a list of actions, each verb should be
  in the same tense.
• He read a book, wrote an essay, and cleaned the
  garage.

4
Parallelism

• This polishing point makes a list balanced and
  clear.
• Working on parallelism can force us to rework our
  sentences, which is usually a good thing.

5
Serial Commas

• Serial commas help combine sentences and expand
  ideas by using sensory detail specific nouns or
  vivid verbs.
• His room smelled of cooked grease, Lysol, and
  age.
• - Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

6
Invitation to Imitate

• _______smells of _______, _______,
• (Place) (list of at least
  three things)
• and __________.
• Use this graphic to imitate the underlying
  pattern. We can use a structure to shape our own
  ideas.

7
More Invitations to Notice and Imitate

• Her cleats, shin pads, and sweats were in her
  backpack, slung over her shoulder and heavy with
  homework.
• I walked back to my room wet and dried myself
  with a pair of jeans. I put on long underwear,
  pants, a long-sleeved shirt, shoes, and my parka.
  I stood in front of the heater.
• Then I heard a scrape, a thud, and a yelp.

8
Invitation to Combine

• I have hair the color of carrots in an apricot
  glaze.
• My skin is fair and clear where it isnt
  freckled.
• My eyes are like summer storms.
• Combine these three sentences using commas.

9
Original Combined Sentence

• I have hair the color of carrots in an apricot
  glaze, skin fair and clear where it isnt
  freckled, and eyes like summer storms.
• - Polly Horvath, Everything on a Waffle

10
Uncovering How Writers Communicate With Readers

• His room smelled of cooked grease, Lysol, and
  age.
• His room smelled.
• His room smelled of cooked grease, lysol, and
  age.
• His room smell of cooked grease, Lysol, and age.
• His room smelled off cooked grease, Lysol, and
  age.