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Abdur-Rahim Salaam-Malik Gregory R. Wahl Basic English 002 October 22,2012 To Comma or not To Comma: A Love Story Learning and understanding proper grammar is very critical. A proper understanding of grammar and how to use it makes writing easier. In EN002, I am being taught how to effectively use proper grammar skills. Proper grammar skills dramatically affect the way sentences are structured. Two punctuation rules that I have mastered are introductory elements and coordination. Introductory elements may be one of the hardest punctuation rules to master. To be honest, these may have been the reasons why I failed my previous papers. Introductory elements can be a word or a group of words that introduce the main clause or phrase of a sentence. When reading a sentence that has an introductory clause or phrase, the comma connects the introductory element to the main clause. An example of this is in the following quote Abdur-Rahim has the hardest time waking up for the Morning Prayer. When the alarm goes off, Abdur-Rahim always presses the snooze button. In the second sentence, the introductory element is When the alarm goes off. This introductory element is considered a subordinate clause. If a subordinate clause is in the beginning of a sentence, it introduces and indicates the relation of the clause to the rest of the sentence, and in most cases will be followed by a comma. The main clause, or what is being explained after the introduction, is the fact that Abdur-Rahim always presses the snooze button.

On my very first paper, I failed to recognize how to utilize introductory elements. An example of this is when I said, That very next class one of my friends had told me that we had taken a major test. Looking at the introductory clause that very next class, and knowing the rule of a subordinating conjunction, I know that this introductory element is introducing and showing the relation to the rest of the sentence. When applying this rule, a comma will go after the word, class. The second punctuation rule that I have mastered, is coordination. Coordination is the act of combining two or more words, phrases, or clauses into one sentence that are equal in importance. In most cases, coordination will be joined with for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. These are called coordinating conjunctions. The key to mastering coordination is understanding how to use the comma. As Rules for Writers states, To coordinate independent clauses- word groups that express a complete thought and that can stand alone as a sentence join them with a comma and a coordinating conjunction or with a semicolon(142). An example from one of my previous papers states, He doesnt let people just push him around, and this is what living on the poor reservation has taught him. When I look at this sentence, I see that this sentence is joined by two independent clauses that are equally important and is joined by the coordinating conjunction and; however there are certain cases where the comma may be omitted. Rules for Writers states, Though a comma should be used before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses, this rule should not be extended to other compound word groups (308). One example Rules for Writers states is, A good money manager controls expenses and invests surplus dollars to meet future needs (293). There is no comma in this sentence because the word group following and is not an independent clause; instead, it is the second half of a compound predicate. The words controls and invests are verbs that have been linked by the word and.

Because I have mastered how to effectively use this punctuation rule, I can look at my previous work and correct it without hesitation. An example from one of my papers would be when I said, He has kept his demeanor and goal, and has a willingness to leave the reservation for good. Before I had a clear understanding of this rule, I would have looked at this sentence and thought that it was correct; but because I have mastered this rule, I can see that the word group before the word and is not an independent clause. It is the second half of the compound predicate; so when I look at this sentence, I will know that the comma after the word goal is not needed when following the rule previously stated. Learning these punctuation rules was not easy, but I feel as if they will help me on future essays. I feel that having a better understanding of how to use these rules on my essays will help me pass the class. Having an understanding of when to put a comma in a sentence is very vital. Knowing how to properly join an introductory element to a main clause is a must when trying to effectively write a paper. Using coordination is a must when trying to connect two or more clauses, words, or phrases that have equal importance in a sentence. Overall, my understanding of how to use these punctuation rules has increased tremendously. Mastering these punctuation rules will help pave the way for me to get my degree in education, and maybe help me get a degree in english.