The following article is provided courtesy of HRD facilitator Jackie McCarroll of McCarroll Associates.

Punctuation provides road signs to guide readers through your content. Unfortunately, writers frequently misuse commas. By applying the Five Comma Pointers, you will improve your readers’ understanding and demonstrate professionalism.

Five Comma Pointers

Insert commas to indicate a brief pause. Use them to separate:

1. Introductory Words

Example: Before they registered students, administrators tested the new process

2. Words that Interrupt the Sentence Flow

Example: We have, therefore, requested additional support for weekends.

3. Items in a Series

Example: The lab technician ordered disposable gowns, gloves, and masks.

***Note: A comma before “and” is a suggestion not a requirement. Departments across campus may use an alternative style guide, such as AP Style, that does not require a comma before the word “and.” Using a comma before “and” or not using a comma are both acceptable practices. Just remember to be consistent with the format you choose to use.

4. Quoted Material Within a Sentence

Example: “These survey results,” Professor Shawnik stressed, “clearly indicate interest in additional software training.”

5. Independent Clauses Joined by Connective Words

Example: Her credentials are exceptional, but our department has already selected six internship candidates.

Comma Caution

Readers struggle with overuse of punctuation. If you frequently use commas, this may be a symptom of run-on sentences. To improve readability, maintain a 15-20 word average for most business communication.

To learn more, check out HRD’s upcoming course offerings, including Jackie’s Effective Proofreading Techniques course on July 30.