Student Writing Handbook Fifth+Edition

Punctuation / 425

Mr. Talbert, who is wearing the red flannel shirt, won the contest.

(The adjective clause is nonessential, or not needed, to identify Mr. Talbert.)

Set off introductory elements (words that introduce a sentence) with a comma. An
introductory element can be a single word, a prepositional phrase of four or more
words, a verbal modifier, or adverb clause.

“Yes, we have no bananas,” the song goes. (introductory single word)

Before sunset every summer evening, we go to the beach to watch the sun sink.

(introductory prepositional phrase of four or more words)

Warning her master, the dog saved Gina from being trapped by the fire. (intro-

ductory verbal modifier, present participial phrase)

After the darkness descended, the stars took on their brilliance. (introductory

adverb clause)

Set off interrupters with commas. Interrupters, obviously, interrupt a sentence and
create emphasis.

One kind of interrupter is the appositive, which is a noun that renames another
noun.

Bald eagles, a once endangered species, have made a comeback.

Another interrupter comes in the form of words of direct address, words used to
speak directly to someone.

Can you, Mr. Goodaker, take photographs of the race tomorrow?

A final kind of interrupter is the parenthetical expression. These expressions
include, but are not limited to, the following:

of course, in fact, moreover, in the meantime, I believe, I hope, I think, on the

other hand, therefore, however, consequently, for example, nevertheless, he said

Do you think, in fact, that he will win the scholarship?

Use commas to set off dates and states.

August 15, 1943

August 1943 (no comma needed)

August 15, 1943, was her date of birth. (two commas needed)

Rochester, Minnesota

Rochester, Minnesota, can have brutal winters. (two commas needed)