PROOFREADING IN BASIC PUNCTUATION

Books and other pieces of writing would be difficult, if not impossible, to read if it were not for punctuation. Punctuation marks are similar to traffic signs. They warn the reader when to slow down (comma) and stop (period, question mark, or exclamation mark).

Rule 1: Use a comma after the salutation of a friendly letter and after closing any letter (Dear Mary Lou,).

Rule 2: Use a comma to separate items in dates and addresses (May 3, 1996).

Rule 3: Appositives and appositive phrases are usually set off by commas (Harriett, my best friend,).

Rule 4: An abbreviation is followed by a period (Aug.).

Rule 5: Use a comma to separate city and state (Bangor, Maine). 

Rule 6: Use commas to separate words in a series (eggs, milk, and cheese).

Rule 7: Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, and yet when they join independent clauses. (Jim really likes golf, but he doesn't like tennis.) Rule 8: Parenthetical expressions are set off by commas. (To be honest, I thought the book was well written.)

Rule 9: Use commas to set off introductory phrases. (Since we have had no rain, we have watered our lawn every day.)

Rule 10: Use a comma to set off words used in direct address. (Mr. Johnson, come to the office immediately.)