To Comma or Not to Comma: The Best Little Punctuation Book Ever!

by Arlene Miller

Why do commas have so many rules? Does the period go before or after the quotation mark? How do I use an ellipsis? When is it appropriate to use a dash? What is an "en" dash anyway? Is a semicolon much different from a colon? Would it be better to use parentheses or a dash in this sentence? Are there gray areas where there really is no rule? Find out the answers to these and all your other punctuation questions in To Comma or Not to Comma, the latest grammar book from bestselling Amazon author Arlene Miller, The Grammar Diva. From apostrophes to semicolons, this little guide will explain, in easy-to-understand language and examples, what to do with all those little marks that make your writing clear and readable. Includes "quizlets," a final test, a quick guide to commas, an answer key, and a glossary of grammar terminology. Great for high school and college students, homeschoolers, authors, professionals, and anyone who needs to write or teaches others how to write.

155 pages, Paperback

Published August 30, 18

About the author

I have written eleven grammar books: The Best Little Grammar Book Ever, Correct Me If I'm Wrong, Beyond Worksheets, The Great Grammar Cheat Sheet, The Best Grammar Workbook Ever, Fifty Shades of Grammar, The Second Edition of The Best Little Grammar Book Ever, The Best Little Grammar Workbook Ever, Does Your Flaming Flamenco, and The Best Little Grammar Collection Ever, and To Comma or Not to Comma. My books are aimed at an audience from about 6th grade through adult. I recently left teaching after 11 years as a middle school English teacher. I now concentrate on my business full time. My company, bigwords101, conducts grammar/writing workshops and presentations for corporations and other groups; sends out a weekly grammar blog; and publishes grammar books. I have also written a novel, Girls of a Feather. And I just released a dating memoir, When Life Hands You Frogs. There are plans in the works for online classes and a business writing book. And then, maybe fiction?

Reviews

[Ronald Gruner · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a writer, I appreciated this easy to read, easy to understand punctuation book. It's notable in its many examples given for every punctuation rule. After resisting the Oxford Comma for years, an example in Miller's little book convinced me to adopt it.

No Oxford Comma: We invited the dogs, my sister and her friends. Are the sister and her friends, dogs? The Oxford Comma nicely clears up the confusion: We invited the dogs, my sister, and her friends.

Recommended for any writer who hasn't mastered the rules of punctuation, and who has?

[Bruce Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a struggle to make grammar or punctuation interesting. Arlene Miller has largely succeeded with the task. "Why focus on the comma?" you ask. She answers on the first page:

"The Chicago Manual of Style contains about 7 rules for the use of periods, and about 60 rules for the use of commas!"

She sprinkles quizzes throughout the book, so you can check how much you are taking in. A great way to dip the toes into the sea of grammar.

[Levia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the format and features

I love how each chapter has an overall subject that is then separated into different ways that punctuation is used. It's also broken down in the list readers can click on in ebook form. The quizlets and final test allowed me to test myself, and identify what areas I need to study more. This is now one of my favorite books I plan to reference as needed.

[Elisabeth Boas · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought it, read it, and regret both. While not entirely terrible, I can’t fathom how it deserves a Goodreads 4.6/5. Author opinions are one thing, but typos and editing errors another—in a self-published book. The amusing style is, well, mildly amusing, as are the quizlets.
While it’s not a complete waste of time, don’t buy it if you are a native speaker of American English.

[Eloise Hamann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chicago Manual of Style covers everything on punctuation, but as such it is an encyclopedic tome. It's fine for looking up very specific questions, but I can't imagine anyone reading it from cover to cover. I can imagine doing such with Comma or Not to Comma.

I have not read the entire book, though it is short and well organized, making it not only an easy read, but easy to find answers to one’s questions. Multiple examples with commentary bring home the points.

I recently participated in helping edit an anthology. We found the commas the most problematic. One of two official editors went through the book four times finding numerous changes each time. I became dizzy in the process. As an author, I appreciated being able to review the main ppints and some finer points in a short amount of time. I feel confident I can confirm the rules I might not remember in short order, and reserve the most fine of points for the tome.

A pleasant surprise is that all punctuation marks and their proper use are covered.
I believe the book would be particularly valuable for those professionals who are not engaged in writing full time, but want to be correct in the writing of reports, memos, newsletters, and the like.

My only criticism is petty. As an author I find myself wanting to rewrite sample sentences in a simpler or better way, of course, ruining the example in the process.
I recommend this book for everyone who wants to punctuate correctly.