Conventions

Spelling, Grammar, Punctuation, Capitalization, Paragraphing

Commas

INTERRUPTERS

Uses commas to separate an interrupter. An interrupter adds information that is not necessary to the sentence; it interrupts the sentence with an additional thought.

The teacher, however, was not impressed.

The boy locked outside, on the other hand, was not happy with his friend.

APPOSITIVES

• Uses commas in appositives. An appositive is an explanation of relationship.

Bob, the poodle, was fun.

Jim, my uncle, owed the silly poodle.

Gloria, my mom, sold the mutt to Uncle Jim.

Harry Potter, the movie, is now on dvd.

DIRECT ADDRESS

Uses commas to set off direct address in a quote. A direct address means you are speaking to that person.

“Mom, may I go to the movies?”

“Jim, sit down.”

“When you are finished sewing, Donna, put away the thread.”

Semicolons

Uses semicolons to separate groups that contain commas.

The Seahawks traveled to Washington, D.C.; New York, NY; and Oakland, CA.

We buy our equipment in threes: balls, bats, mitts; elbow pads, knee pads, helmets; and timer, chess pieces, boards.

Grammar

Principal and principle

A principal is your pal.  He leads the school.

The principal made the decision to cancel school.

The principal point is the most important point.

The principal reason for canceling school is the number of absences due to the flu.

When you have a loan, the principal is the part you borrowed, not the interest.

My principal is five dollars, but I must pay him an extra dollar as fee.

A principle is something you live by; it’s a belief or a truth to you.

Honesty is my principle; I will not lie.

Grammar: Word Usage

Good and Well

correct: He ran well in the race.

incorrect: He ran good in the race.

Why?

Good is an adjective used with a noun.

She is a good swimmer.  (What kind of swimmer is she?)

He is a good point guard. (What kind of guard is he?)

The good painting looks like a sunset.  (What kind of painting is it?)

Well is an adverb used with a verb.

She swims well.   (How does she swim?)

He guards well.   (How does he guard?)

They paint well.  (How do they paint?)