Look, no offence to any stories out there, but when I don't see commas where they should be, it REALLY bothers me. It's like I have a grammar OCD.

So, what am I going to do today kids?! I'm teaching you some 7th grade English, telling you about the comma rules!

Before we start, if you're not in 7th grade yet or just haven't learned these words yet, I'll put it here just in case.

  Dependent clause: Something that is just addition information to an Independent clause, it can't be on its own. (Just like that ;))
  Independent clause: A sentence that can be on its own as a complete thought. (Like that ;))

(If I make a comma mistake in this I'm gonna cry)

This is me from the future, and I wanted to state that I'm putting it into 2 parts, because there are a total of 16 rules from the article I'm basing this after, and there is just so much. -v-"

I'll probably unload the second one today or tomorrow anyways.

1. Use a comma to separate a series of three or more items.

Most people know this one, mainly because it is learned earlier than some of these.

Ex: There were pizza, chips, and sodas at the party.

Now, there seems to be an occurrence that I see often, when there isn't a second comma.

There was pizza, chips and soda at the party.

   Although it may be fine, in my personal opinion, I don't understand it. It could confuse people, and I just don't like it when people write it that way. It's really just my opinion though, so I won't stop you.
~

2. Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the two could be interchangeable.

Ex:
That is a small, cute kitten.
That is a cute, small kitten.

Ex of what not to do :
That was a pricey resort last week.
That was a resort pricey last week.

It's not interchangeable. Another way to see if you add a comma is to add an 'and' between the two words, and if they make since, add the comma. (And delete the and)
~~

3.
Part 1:

  Many writers bring two independent clauses together by using a comma instead of a period. This could make a run on sentence, or a comma splice.

Ex: The girl ran back home, she shut the door.

A Correct way: The girl quickly ran back to her house, and shut the door behind her.

More simple: After the girl ran home, she shut the door.

  It makes it sound more fluid and understanding.

Part 2: In sentences where there are 2 Independent clauses connected together, add a comma at the end of the first clause

Ex:
The girl ran home quickly, and she shut the door behind her.

Simple:
The girl ran home, and she shut the door.

  However, if your sentence is short, you don't have to.

I watched as he painted.

Part 3:
If the subject does not appear in front, it is mainly unnecessary.

Ex:
They watched as people from across the street worked on a new house.

There are times you need it though to avoid confusion.

Confusing : I noticed how the girl in front of me was arguing with someone and tried to maneuver away.
Correct: I noticed how the girl in front of me was arguing with someone, and tried to maneuver away.

The first one makes it sound like the girl arguing was trying to maneuver away instead of the narrator.

~~~

4.
Part 1:

  When starting a sentence with a dependent clause , add a comma after it.
(Like that ;))

Always add a comma if it would avoid confusion.

Ex:
  Why I like it I don't know.
  Why I like it, I don't know.

Part 2:

  A comma is usually unnecessary if the sentence starts with an Independent clause.

Like that^

~~~~

5&6. Use a comma when there are appositives. (Those steps are basically the same)
  What are appositives you ask?
  They are when you go bigger in detail of something or someone

Ex: Button asked Holly, his older sister, for help on his homework.
Incorrect: Button asked Holly, his older sister for help on his homework.

Be careful with it though, meaning can change.

Ex:
Button's older sister Holly is helping him with his homework.

This makes it sound like Button has multiple sisters or siblings.

Correct:
Button's older sister, Holly, is helping him with his homework.

  There are times where commas, in this sense, can be misused.

Erin Hunter's book, Warriors: Into the wild, is outstanding.

This makes it sound like it's the only book out there by Erin Hunter.

~~~~~~
7. Use a comma after certain words that introduce a sentence.

Ex:
Wait, where did that come from?
Sure, I'd love to do that.
Huh, I've never noticed that.

Also, use commas to set off expressions that interrupt the sentence flow.

Ex

  I saw these markers and got happy since, if you didn't know, I love drawing.
  I wish that, even though it will most likely never happen, people could be more cheerful all the time.

~~~~~~~

8. Use a comma to set off someone directly addressed, like a name, nickname, title of person, etc.

Ex:
So what do you, Holly, think about it?

Hey, look over at her, Lilli!

~~~~~~~~

So that was it for now.

-v-" that was more than I expected at first, I never realized how many there really are...

Anyway, I hope you grow from this.
-Holly

(If you wanna correct anything from any of my stories, you can. I do it all the time with other stories so now you can do it to me)