Commas

How to use

commas correctly!

iTrackR Ed

Recall previous knowledge:

When do we use a comma?

Write your answers on the mini-whiteboards.

ANSWER!

Using Commas Correctly

Objectives:

• Reading: To identify and recognise how to use commas in lists and long

sentences.

• Writing: To use commas when creating lists and longer sentences.

• Task: Create an email with your targets post date to the future

Using Commas in ListsCommas are used between items in a list.

1) Put a comma after every word in the list except the last one.

2) Put an ‘and’ or an ‘or’ between the last two words.

I didn’t know whether to laugh, cry or scream. The monster was gigantic, hideous and smelly.

If the last two items in the list already

have ‘and’ between them, you need to

add a comma and an ‘and’ before them.

We had soup, bread, and fish and chips.

Commas can make the meaning more clear

We also need commas in long sentences to break them up.

The engineer knocked on the door several times, but nobody answered.

With a shriek, the cat pounced on the mouse.

To boil an egg, boil the water, add the egg, cook for three minutes and take it out.

Using Commas with adjectives or adverbs

Commas are also used to separate adjectives or adverbs when more than one is used to describe a noun or verb.

Similar to previous slides this usage is designed to separate adjectives or adverbs and to make the meaning clear.

He smugly drove his sports car swiftly, silently and elegantly through town.

Scrooge was a tight fisted, miserable, old man.

Insert commas into text below.

For my birthday I got a pair of skates two balls a baseball cap and a shirt.

To get to the cinema go to the end of the street turn right walk along until you reach

the pub turn left and it is in front of you.

He climbed the steps walked along the plank closed his eyes and jumped into the

pool.

1 Gordon cooked eggs baked beans tomatoes bacon chips.

2 Wayne picked Rio Ryan Tomasz Michael for their five aside friendly match.

3 We have three dogs called Louie Simon Cheryl.

4 We visited Spain Italy France Germany during our summer holidays.

5 What would you like to drink coffee tea juice milk?

6 My favourite girl singers are Beyonce Kylie Shakira Leona.

7 Which do you prefer a holiday in a caravan tent hotel cruise ship?

Complete these sentences, put in the commas, ‘and’ ‘or’ where necessary.

Miss Marks The Examiner

Mistakes to avoid ......

Commas in lists are fairly easy, but the last two items

need thinking about.

Assessment criteria:

Punctuate sentences

correctly so that the meaning is clear. Ws/L1.3

Commas in long sentences are a bit more

difficult, but definitely worth learning. If you

don’t use commas well, you will lose marks.

Peer Assessment

Look back through the writing. Write a list of all the things you thought your partner did really well. Include things linked to the objectives, but also include things that were not.

Write a list of everything s/he did right. Give examples.

Using commas

Task 1 What are your goals for English this year?

Create an email on www.futureme.org

Write a message outlining your goals and targets.For self –reflection post date the emails for once a term as a

reminder to pause and reflect on your progress.Task 2

Write an email to your future self.

Self AssessmentWhat really made you think this lesson?

What have you learnt?

What did you find difficult?

What do you need more help with?

If you were teaching this class, what would you change?

What activities would you have done?

Exit Pass

Question: When do we use commas?

Write your name and answer on a Post-it notedeposit in the exit box on your way out

No exiting if you haven’t got a pass!

ANSWER!

Plenary and Self assessment

Review learning objectives:

Reading: were you able to recognise commas in lists and long sentences?

Writing: were you able to use commas when creating lists and longer sentences?

Did you remember to complete your self assessment?