Wild Rose Learning

Many young students were taught the wrong way.

I remember in elementary school, one of my language arts’ teachers told me to put commas in my paragraph when I needed to take a breath.

I thought this was the correct way to use commas for years. It wasn’t until high school that I learned that there were comma rules.

And I didn’t even learn all of the rules until I was in university.

I thought this use-commas-when-you-need-to-take-a-breath rule was just something from my generation.

But there are kids I tutor who still believe that that’s how you use commas.

If your child is one of these kids (or they just don’t know how to use commas), here are the basic rules and how to teach them.

Rule 1

The first rule is the easiest one: Using commas to separate items in a list.

If your child is writing a sentence that contains a list, they have to separate each item with a comma.

Example: 

• I am bringing socks, shorts and a t-shirt.

Rule 2

The second is: Using a comma after introductory phrases.

An introductory phrase is a group of words (or a word) at the beginning of a sentence that introduces something. After each of these, you have to use a comma.

Examples: 

• After we finished our homework, we went to the park.
• Dad, when are you coming to pick me up?

Rule 3

Okay, I lied. The third is the easiest one: Using commas in dates and places.

When writing dates and places (ie. cities and provinces/states), you have to use commas to separate items.

Examples:

• March 3, 2010
• Calgary, Alberta
• Dallas, Texas

Rule 4

The fourth rule is: Using a comma to set off a direct quote.

When your child writes quotes (most likely in stories), they have to place a comma before the direct quote or when closing the quote.

Examples:

• Setting: Billy said, “Kate is going to win the tournament.”
• Closing: “Kate is going to win the tournament,” Billy said.

Rule 5

The fifth rule is: Using commas to separate appositive clauses and non-restrictive clauses.

Appositive clauses are groups of words that add additional information about the primary noun. 

Non-restrictive clauses are groups of words that provide additional, unimportant information about the primary noun.

When you use these clauses in a sentence, you have to set them off with a comma and then close them out with a comma.

Example:

• Appositive: Tessa, a sixth grader, was doing 7th-grade math.
• Non-Restrictive: Bobby, who went home, forgot his backpack on his desk.

I added these two to the same rule because the application of the rules is similar. 

Also, when your child is writing, especially at the lower levels, they’re not actively trying to figure out if they’re writing an appositive or a non-restrictive clause. 

All they need to know is that they are using one of them and that they need to add commas to them.

Rule 6

The sixth rule is: Using a comma after transitional words.

After using a transitional word (therefore, first, however, etc.), your child needs to add a comma.

For example:

• Therefore, commas are important.

Rule 7

The seventh rule: Using commas to connect two independent clauses.

When your child writes a sentence that contains two independent clauses, they have to connect them with a comma.

Example:

• Bill went to the store, and Sarah went to school. 

How to Teach Comma Rules

The easiest way to study comma rules is by writing sentences that are missing commas, and then having your child add commas to them.

Once they get the hang of it, have them correct paragraphs that contain multiple types of comma use.

For instance, you could write a paragraph that has sentences with dates, appositives, and lists that aren’t punctuated.

You can write your own sentences and paragraphs or you can buy a grammar workbook.

Both work, but a grammar workbook is much easier and less time-consuming for busy parents.

If you plan on teaching with workbooks, you can find mine here.

Final Thoughts

Commas are an important part of grammar because it helps you communicate your ideas clearly.

So, if you want your child to be a clear communicator, teach them the comma rules.