This common comma rule is exemplified in the following sentence:
“Genesis won the tournament by using her incredible skill, amazing luck, and stoic poker face.”
What is use commas to separate items in a series of three or more?
100
After one makes a claim, this pesky little dude hops on one's shoulder and demands support for that claim.
Who is the "Why Guy?" or Who is "That Little Leprechaun Looking Mo Fo Who Keeps Screaming WHY WHY WHY IN ONE'S EAR?"
100
This is an idea package.
What is a paragraph?
100
Often erroneously employed in reference to a child or children, the actual definition of this all-too-familiar word has more in common with cloven-hoofed critters than shoe-shod human beings.
What is "kid" or "kids?"
100
The adulterous couple who hold the key to understanding where to put a period.
Who are Mr. Subject and Mrs. Verb?
200
"Peter is a vampire, and he sucks BLOOOD!!!" is an example of a this type of common comma.
What is a comma being used before a coordinating conjunction that separates two sentences? Or, What is a FANBOYS comma?
200
The subordinate conjunction with which my professor's roommate began all of his theses.
What is "Although?"
200
A "Fritos" sentence.
What is a "topic sentence?" Or, What is the first sentence in a paragraph?
200
The formal terms for one’s parental units.
What are "mother" and "father?"
200
If a period represents a stop sign, and a comma is a yield sign, then a semicolon is this.
What is a California Roll? Or, What is a California Stop? Or, What is a Hollywood Stop? Or, What is a Farmer’s Stop?
300
Brian's hubris was showing when he pompously pontificated, “I am the greatest of all time!” is an example of this common comma rule.
What is use a comma to separate text from a direct quotation? Or, What is a comma before a quotation?
300
Well-composed thesis statements will usually contain these two components.
What are a fact and an opinion?
300
This paragraph's function is to gain the reader's attention, expose essay's topic, and showcase the writer's thesis.
What is an introductory paragraph?
300
Turkeys are "done;" humans are this.
What is finished?
300
"Every time she smiled, I was more distracted, she kept me hypnotized." is an example of this fundamental grammar-giggle error.
What is a comma splice?
400
"Rocking slowly back and forth, Miriam cuddled her kitten."
"After thrashing it soundly, John concluded the alligator was a sissy."
What are examples of subordinate conjunction commas being used to set off subordinate (or dependant) clauses?
400
The two-word hyphenated adjective that describes the type of essay one is expected to write in the academe.
What is "thesis-driven?"
400
Words and phrases used within paragraphs to smoothly link supporting ideas, these usually appear at the beginning of sentences and are followed by a comma.
What are transition words and phrases?
400
The opposite of soft and often used in the context of a challenge, this familiar word's primary definition is “not easily bent.”
What is "hard?"
400
“Yesterday, I went for a walk in the park with Rover—my iguana,” is an example of a sentence employing this kind of phrase, which renames the subject.
Hint: I'm not too "positive" that you'll get the correct answer.
What is an “appositive” phrase?
500
Adam, unbeknownst to Amy, planned to leave in the morning.
What is an example of commas being used to set off material that does not change the meaning? Or, What is an example of commas being used to set off a non-essential clause or phrase?
500
This is the difference between a "topic" and a "main claim."
What is a "topic" is the subject matter, and a "main claim" is one's opinion about the topic--one's thesis?
500
The last sentence in body paragraphs that employs a key word or phrase to prepare the reader for the topic of the next paragraph.
What is a transition sentence?
500
Formal adverb expressing two or more things occurring at the same time.
What is "simultaneously?"
500
The use of this 2nd person plural/singular pronoun is generally forbidden in academic writing and is expressly forbidden in my writing classes.