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Ode to the Comma

1/14/2015

1 Comment

 
Recently, I was a judge for a writing contest. It was exciting, humbling, and encouraging to read other people's work. There is so much talent out there! So many good writers. I'm glad there's a variety of readers to enjoy the myriad stories available.

One thing I noticed in many of the submissions was a lack of commas. I know the poor comma is on its way out of our language, but I am a fan. So I thought I'd write a tribute to that precious, little, infrequently used, and often debated punctuation mark...

Ode to the Comma

A number of years ago, when I was in school,
My English teacher shared with us a neat, useful tool.
Over the years, it has become a source of great drama.
I'm speaking, of course, of the mysterious comma.
It's not that hard to use, yet many people forget
Just how much this little mark, their writing, will benefit.
With the Oxford under scrutiny and heated dispute,
I'd like to take a moment for a comma salute.
In long lists, it provides needed separation,
And thoughtful pauses in the midst of revelation.
It aids in comprehension as it precedes conjunctions,
But many different folks have stopped using this function.
It starts dialogue between said and quotation marks,
The funny, tailed period with an extra little spark.
So celebrate the comma; use it when you write.
If you don't know how, then please Google a few websites!
The correct usage will make your writing resplendent,
And you will find this little mark is really quite transcendent.

Go, Team Comma!
1 Comment
Stacy S. Jensen link
1/14/2015 09:10:52 am

After years of following AP Style, I'm trying to use the comma again in a series.

Reply



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  • Home
  • Star Sailors
    • The Commodore >
      • Characters
    • The Princess >
      • Characters
    • The Skyjacker >
      • Characters
    • The Stowaway >
      • Characters
    • The Operative >
      • Characters
  • Crown's Call
    • Heralds of the Crown >
      • Poison >
        • Characters
        • Deleted Scenes
      • Fusion >
        • Characters
        • Deleted Scene
      • Reconciled >
        • Characters
    • Rise of the Crown
    • Touch of the Crown >
      • Outlaw >
        • Characters
    • Champions of the Crown >
      • Asylum >
        • Characters
    • Fun Stuff >
      • The Timeline
      • The System
      • The Inhabitants >
        • Logia/Lumen/Ghosts
        • Strages/Crepusculum/Legacy
  • Time Spinners
    • In the Beginning >
      • Characters
  • Other Novels
    • Tinsel Pines Tales
    • Checkmate >
      • Characters
    • Once Upon a Heist >
      • Characters
      • Map of Paladia
      • Venefica's Curse
  • Bio
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Promo
  • Onstage
    • Mamma Mia
    • Addams Family
    • Other Performances
  • Buy
  • Blog