Grammar Mini Lesson – Comma Splices
This semester I have struggled with the use of comma splices in my writing. A comma splice is a sentence where two independent clauses are connected by a comma. This grammatical error could be seen in my first essay, which discusses vulnerability and the power of sharing private stories. I consistently used the word “however” as a way to combine or contrast ideas, but I was not aware that I was using this technique incorrectly. For example, I wrote in my essay, “This form of conversation may not be as personal as a face to face interaction, however, it may inspire others to share what they heard with another person, which eventually can spread a single message and create relationships between people.” In this quote I described an idea, placed a comma, inserted “however,” and continued on with another idea. Instead, I should have inserted a period before “however” and created two sentences, or I could have used a conjunction or semicolon to correctly combine the two claims.
In this mini-lesson I have created a Google Slides presentation where I use a simple example of a comma splice to show the audience how to identify the mistake and how to fix it. When identifying a comma splice, I like to read my sentences aloud to hear whether or not the sentence could be split into two. If I am unsure if I have a grammatical error or not, I will separate the two clauses to see if both of them could stand on their own. If both parts are each a complete thought, I know I must separate the two ideas or find a way to combine them without the use of a comma.
The example I use in my mini-lesson is: I went to the store, I bought chocolate ice cream.
In this example, the comma splice is after store and between I. “I went to the store” and “I bought chocolate ice cream” are two independent clauses and two separate thoughts.
In my mini-lesson, I provide four ways to fix this comma splice:
1. Create two sentences by inserting a period.
I went to the store. I bought chocolate ice cream.
2. Insert a conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet & so).
I went to the store and I bought chocolate ice cream.
3. Add a semicolon.
I went to the store; I bought chocolate ice cream.
4. Change one independent clause into a dependent clause (where, because, even though, since, although).
I went to the store where I bought chocolate ice cream.
At the end of my mini lesson, I ask the class to identify comma splices in the following sentences:
I went to the Commons for dinner, I ate with my roommates.
I watched the football game on Saturday, it was cold and rainy.
I went to Target to buy decorations for my room, they were sold out of pictures.
I can’t wait to visit home during the holidays, it will be fun to see family and friends.
I hope this mini-lesson will provide a clear, straightforward look at how to attack comma slices while writing. This grammatical error was a continuous issue in my essays, so I hope I can help others identify what splices look like and how to fix them.
My mini lesson can be accessed here.
