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Re: Items in a Series and Comma Use?You know, Al, I agree with you about this and the other examples to which you replied. According to the 'rules', there should be no confusion as to the intent of the sentences.As I send in the beginning, this is one of those threads that can go on forever. I never use that dreaded extra comma in my personal writing, or in anything that I send to magazines, etc., but that's me. Since I've been published a lot and have had end users compliment me on the clarity of my writing, not using that last comma hasn't been a problem. My degree is in journalism, but I came from the technical writing field before I got my degree and returned to it sometime after. When first became a technical writer (from working in hardware engineering), the former English teacher who was my "boss" used that extra comma. The person who took over for him didn't use it. He had a EE degree with a journalism minor. Most of the people I know who are adamant about using it are English majors (or minors). To use or not use the comma has been argued by both groups for as long as I can remember writing and both sides seem to do pretty well getting their message across to the masses. So, in order to get on to bigger and better things....I choose not to use it unless specified in the style guide for whomever is paying me. Go ahead and use it if it makes you happy. I won't loose any sleep over it and I don't think that the comma police will loose any sleep either. -- Al Geist, Geist Associates Technical Writing, Online Help, Marketing Collateral, Web Design, Award Winning Videos, Professional Photography Office: 802-658-3140 Cell: 505-400-4128 E-mail: al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com <mailto:al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com> URL: www.geistassociates.com <http://www.geistassociates.com> (online portfolio/resume) See also: URL: www.geistimages.com <http://www.geistimages.com> (fine art prints for home or office and note cards for all occasions) "When the situation is absolutely hopeless, you have nothing to worry about." Compliments of The Monkey Wrench Gang ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Now Shipping -- WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word! Easily create online Help. And online anything else. Redesigned interface with a new project-based workflow. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l Doc-To-Help includes a one-click RoboHelp project converter. It's that easy. Watch the demo at http://www.componentone.com/TECHWRL/DocToHelp2005 --- You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- infoinfocus -dot- com -dot- To unsubscribe send a blank email to techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40infoinfocus.com To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info. Follow-Ups:
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Re: Items in a Series and Comma Use?
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