The Case of Comma Confetti

Here a comma, there a comma, everywhere a comma, and does it matter where they land on my page? Am I supposed to put a comma here or there or anywhere? Why would I? What is the use of the small dot with a tail?

“When it doubt, leave it out,” the high school English teacher said. Perhaps instead of doubt, I should find the rules and figure out exactly why or why not when it comes to putting commas in my writing or leaving them out.

The SWC handout (Commas – available on line - hard copies available in Room 104, Stone Writing Center) lists comma rules and regulations, the proper time and place for the peculiar punctuation. Anyone afflicted with a bit of confusion about the rules could print out the list, check off the rules he knows that he knows, and ponder the meaning of the rules that confuse him.

Punctuation is somewhat like the language of math. Commas, semi-colons, periods, question marks, etc., function much like plus signs or minus signs or equals signs. They clarify or define the equation.

There is a certain precision in the proper use of commas, a reason to apply them on set occasions. Even though each writer has a novel way of expressing his thoughts, the same rules apply and can make or break a paper at times. The best way to learn rules, if they don’t automatically click in your mind, is by rote, by repetition. Keep reading the rules that you know you don’t know over and over again until the moment comes when, “Aha, I see it now!” appears. And it will.

Then the sprinkling of small dots with tails will end. Instead, the pages you write will be enhanced by deliberately placed punctuation, punctuation marks used for actual reasons. The case of comma confetti will be closed by those who master the rules, those who know why a comma should be left in or out, without a doubt.

Roxy’s tip: Learn the comma rules!

See you next time the breeze is cool, the sun is up, and the waves roll into view! My next entry is coming soon. ‘Til then, hang ten!