Task 2: Punctuation and Style Clinic (Comma, Hyphen) - (Writing)

Card A. Comma decision tree

1. Is it two full clauses joined by FANBOYS?
   Add a comma: Costs rose, so families delayed purchases.
2. Is there an introductory clause or phrase?
   Add a comma: In many schools, class sizes are rising.
3. Is the clause non essential?
   Set off with commas: Buses, which run late at night, increase access.
4. Are the adjectives coordinate?
   Use a comma if you can add and or swap order: a clear, balanced argument.

Do not use a comma to join full clauses without FANBOYS. That is a comma splice.

Card B. Clause commas made simple

• Defining relative clause: no commas
  Policies that reduce fees widen access.
• Non defining relative clause: commas
  Online learning, which helps commuters, supports retention.
• Contrast clause: comma when it starts the sentence
  Although costs rose, enrolment stayed stable.
• End position contrast clause usually no comma
  Enrolment stayed stable although costs rose.

Card C. List style and the Oxford comma

• Use commas to separate three or more items.
• Oxford comma is optional; be consistent.
  Funding supports buses, trains, and trams.
  Funding supports buses, trains and trams.
  Choose one style and keep it through the essay.

Card D. Hyphen toolkit for compound modifiers

Hyphenate multi word modifiers before a noun to prevent misreading:

• policy-driven reform, low-income families, time-saving tools
  Do not hyphenate when the adverb ends in -ly:
• highly skilled workers, widely used apps

Number and age modifiers

• a 10-year plan, a three-month pilot, 18-to-24-year-old students
  No hyphen when the noun comes first: the plan is 10 years long.

Fractions and ratios

• a two-thirds majority, a one-to-one session

Prefix guide

• Usually closed: email, bimodal, retrain
• Use a hyphen to avoid ambiguity or double vowels: re-cover vs recover, co-operate in some styles.

Card E. Quick tests and repairs

Comma splice fix
Wrong: Costs rose, families delayed purchases.
Fix: Costs rose, so families delayed purchases.
Fix: Costs rose. As a result, families delayed purchases.

Dangling modifier fix
Wrong: After reading the report, the policy seemed clear.
Fix: After reading the report, the committee found the policy clear.

Misplaced only
Place only before the word it limits.
We only measured attendance. → We measured only attendance.

Hyphen clarity test
Ask: could a reader mis-group the words?
If yes, hyphenate: small-business owners vs small business owners.

Card F. Mini style sheet for Task 2

• Prefer short, direct main clauses.
• Keep one strong idea per sentence.
• Use formal verbs: increase, reduce, require, demonstrate.
• Avoid informal items: kids, a lot, stuff, gonna.
• Keep tense steady inside a paragraph.
• Use precise connectors sparingly: however, therefore, by contrast, in addition.

Card G. Micro drills (8 minutes)

Drill 1: List and clause
Write one sentence with a three item list and a compound clause joined by so. Add the Oxford comma if that is your chosen style.

Drill 2: Modifier check
Create two versions:

• a low-income policy
• a policy for low income families
  Explain why the hyphen appears only in the first.

Drill 3: Relative choice
Write one defining and one non defining sentence about public transport. Change commas accordingly.

Drill 4: Number hyphens
Convert: a plan that lasts 5 years → a 5-year plan.
Convert: students aged 15 to 17 → 15-to-17-year-old students.

Drill 5: Splice repair
Fix this: Digital tools are useful, schools must train staff.

Card H. Before and after clinic

Before
Remote work improves balance, it also hurts teamwork in some firms.

After
Remote work improves balance, but it can hurt teamwork in some firms.
Remote work improves balance. However, it can hurt teamwork in some firms.

Before
We need data driven decisions in exam reform.

After
We need data-driven decisions in exam reform.

Card I. Two minute punctuation audit

• Lists punctuated consistently
• No comma splices or fragments
• Introductory elements followed by a comma
• Relative clause commas match meaning
• Compound modifiers before nouns are hyphenated
• Numbers and ages used with the correct hyphen style
• Tone formal and concise

Apply these cards during planning and at the end of drafting. Correct commas give structure, and smart hyphens prevent ambiguity. The result is a clear, professional style that supports your ideas.