Reading Response - Grammar Girl - Epsiode #45 - Comma Splice

Grammar Girl's Episode #45 is titled Comma Splice, and reviews what a comma splice is. It also informs readers how to prevent using a comma splice in their own writing. Commas, she relates, are used to join two main clauses with the assistance of a coordinating conjunction such as "and," "but," and "or." The coordinating conjunction, she asserts, is absolutely necessary. If a writer forgets to include a coordinating conjunction they are guilty of using a comma splice - high treason in the world of academic writing.

Grammar Girl noticed that sometimes a writer might use a comma to join two complete sentences. Doing this is not always allowed. If the two sentences relate to the same idea then it might read well to join them with a comma and a coordinating conjunction. An alternative method for joining two complete sentences is to utilize the semicolon, or "sentence splice" as Grammar Girl calls is. However, if the two sentences do not relate to each other or a central idea, then it would be a bad idea to join them. This would also create a comma splice.

The best way to prevent a comma splice is to proofread, proofread, proofread, and keep those thoughts organized on paper. Writer's should also keep an eye on their coordinating conjunctions. Commas are not just special effects to be used whimsically because they bring cohesion to written ideas.