http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/writing-for-business-comma-in-a-series-rule/ A Whatis.com Blog Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:23:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/writing-for-business-comma-in-a-series-rule/#comment-29 BobYoung Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:17:50 +0000 http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/?p=294#comment-29 Thanks for the reply, Margaret. I've been thinking about this one off and on over the last few days, asking myself, "If I was writing this instructional guide, how would I handle it?" By the way, I teach college technical courses, but not English. My conclusion was that I wouldn't take a stand. I would start, like you did, by pointing out that it is controversial, and then I would cite references for both positions. Call me chicken! :-) Thanks for the reply, Margaret. I’ve been thinking about this one off and on over the last few days, asking myself, “If I was writing this instructional guide, how would I handle it?” By the way, I teach college technical courses, but not English. My conclusion was that I wouldn’t take a stand. I would start, like you did, by pointing out that it is controversial, and then I would cite references for both positions. Call me chicken!

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/writing-for-business-comma-in-a-series-rule/#comment-27 Margaret Rouse Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:11:02 +0000 http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/?p=294#comment-27 Bob, I can't tell you how many arguments we've had over the serial comma (also known as the Oxford comma). When I was in school, Strunk and White's Elements of Style were gospel -- but the AP Style Guide dropped the serial comma and the trend seems to be growing. I guess the exception would be if omitting the comma changes the meaning of the sentence. "I dedicate this blog to my parents, Steve Jobs and Grace Hopper." Yep, you'd need a comma there for sure! Bob, I can’t tell you how many arguments we’ve had over the serial comma (also known as the Oxford comma). When I was in school, Strunk and White’s Elements of Style were gospel — but the AP Style Guide dropped the serial comma and the trend seems to be growing. I guess the exception would be if omitting the comma changes the meaning of the sentence. “I dedicate this blog to my parents, Steve Jobs and Grace Hopper.” Yep, you’d need a comma there for sure!

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/writing-for-business-comma-in-a-series-rule/#comment-26 BobYoung Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:16:55 +0000 http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/?p=294#comment-26 You're right; it is a controversial rule. Purdue Universiy takes the opposite position. See this link and scroll down to the section on commas in a series: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_commaproof.html Sorry, but I'll take Purdue over you. Nevertheless, this has been a great series on business writing. Thanks very much! You’re right; it is a controversial rule. Purdue Universiy takes the opposite position. See this link and scroll down to the section on commas in a series: <a href="http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_commaproof.html" title="http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_commaproof.html" target="_blank">http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/g…</a>
Sorry, but I’ll take Purdue over you. Nevertheless, this has been a great series on business writing. Thanks very much!

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