How to Raise Your GPA: The Comma Is Cool

The series continues. Yep, it is time for another "How to Raise Your GPA" article (which, by the way, I am having a blast writing). This time we take on the elusive and very, very scary COMMA. Those little rugrats that, in my opinion, seperate the wheat from the chaff. So, sit back, and enjoy. Also, make sure to check out the other Raise your GPA articles by click here.

Now, I know what you're thinking - I absolutely hate the rules, the silly songs, and most importantly, I am afraid of the semi colon. Don't worry. These tips are easy, common sense, and you already know them, you just may not know how to state it in writing.

Let's go on with that a bit. Most educated people, especially those who read, understand the conventions of English. Although you may not know what a gerund is (a form of a verb that ends in -ing and operates as a noun in a sentence, as in "Thinking can be painful), it doesn't matter. You know how to use them properly, and that's the only thing that really counts.

You may be asking how this applies to a better GPA. First off, it will increase your grades on written assignments. Although the rubric probably doesn't have a "comma points" section, proper use of punctuation will increase the sophistication of your sentences, and your overall prose style. Second, it leaves a good impression on your professor (or teacher or graduate assistant). If those who are doing the grading realize you're knowledgeable of conventional grammar rules, you'll easily stand out amongst most other students.

Remember, the art of writing is a constant process, so if you don't get these tips immediately, don't worry. Getting good at anything comes with practice, and in this case, with writing a ton of essays. I actually completed 21 essays last semester. I don't know what I was thinking, but I did.

Good luck.

• If the beginning of your sentence has an introduction of sorts, place a comma after it. For example, this sentence qualifies with the "for example" being an introductory element. An easy way to tell what qualifies as an introductory element is to see if the section can stand on its own, as a sentence. Take a look at the examples below taken from Garret Mattingly's awesome book The Armada.

"If he did so without enthusiasm, it was partly because he was less confident that his uncle had been of conquering England …" (pg. 45)

The section "If he did so without enthusiasm " cannot be a sentence on its own. It just doesn't seem right.

• Another rule is to use commas as a way of interrupting a sentence. For instance, if you were willing to, you could look at this sentence as a prime example. An additional example, one that I think rocks, is this sentence. You can see how I interrupted the main idea of the previous sentence ("one that I think rocks") using commas.
• Probably the easiest rule is that of using commas in a series. My mother asked me to pick up bananas, peas, hairspray, and WD-40. Although I though it was a bad idea I followed her directions and also went to Target, Kroger, Walmart, and Valvoline. Some will fight over the idea of ITEM A, ITEM B, and ITEM C or ITEM A, ITEM B and ITEM C (notice one sentence has comma after ITEM B and the other doesn't.) All of my research indicates that it is a choice of style and not a hard and fast rule.
• What about coordinating conjunctions (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So or FANBOYS for short). Any time you use them you should place a comma before it. See examples below:

Rocky loves to hit people in the ring, but he hates having them hit him

Rocky won't eat his cat food, nor will he eat any bananas

Rocky is a funny cat, and he sometimes eats his own kitty litter.

• Also use commas if you have two adjectives, describing the same subject. Examples are below

The old, mean man hit his head on the garden arch.

It was a cold, stormy night.

Patients with acute, severe headaches should bath in baby powder.

Now, in no way is this list exhaustive. I suggest a few things to continue expanding your knowledge

• Get yourself a style guide, like A Pocket Style Manual by Diana Hacker, which is the one I use. I've included suggestions below, in the Amazon bookstore section
• Consider searching the internet for some practice worksheets (see below for a few ideas)
• Read a lot - the more you read, the more punctuation becomes natural.
• Don't be afraid of writing. Writing is the spice of life - It leaves a record of our thoughts and ideas. It allows others to peek into our lives or the time we lived in. It woos women and men with flowery poetry and witty language. And, most importantly, it will increase your GPA.