Comments on: Writing for Business — comma in a series rule

By: BobYoung

BobYoung — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:17:50 +0000

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!

By: Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:11:02 +0000

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!

By: BobYoung

BobYoung — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:16:55 +0000

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!