Commas After Introductory Phrases: Improving Clarity in Writing

This video tutorial teaches the use of commas with introductory phrases. It begins by explaining the concept of subjects in sentences and how introductory phrases precede them. The tutorial provides examples and exercises to help learners identify subjects and introductory phrases, emphasizing the importance of placing a comma after the introductory phrase. The video also includes editing exercises to reinforce the learning, ensuring that students can apply the rules to their writing. By the end, students should be able to identify and correctly punctuate introductory phrases in sentences.

What is the role of an introductory phrase in a sentence?

• It provides additional information about the subject.

• It comes after the subject to conclude the sentence.

• It introduces the sentence and is followed by a comma.

• It is the main action of the sentence.

In the sentence 'To score a touchdown, the quarterback threw the ball,' what is the introductory phrase?

• The quarterback

• Threw the ball

• To score a touchdown

• Touchdown

Why is it important to place a comma after an introductory phrase?

• To separate it from the subject

• To make the sentence more complex

• To make the sentence longer

• To emphasize the subject

In the sentence 'A fish dangling from its beak, the bald eagle landed on its nest,' what is the subject?

• Nest

• Fish

• Beak

• Bald eagle

What should you do first when editing a draft for introductory phrases?

• Underline the entire sentence

• Count the number of words

• Find the subject of the sentence

• Identify the main verb

In the sentence 'Working with other scientists, she made a breakthrough,' where should the comma be placed?

• After 'she'

• After 'scientists'

• After 'working'

• After 'breakthrough'

What is the benefit of using commas after introductory phrases in writing?

• It clarifies the sentence structure

• It adds more words to the sentence

• It makes the writing more formal

• It makes the sentence more poetic