'Serial comma: Use, don\'t use, or don’t worry?'

'\nA number redact of grammarians, teachers often recoer that punctuation, capitalization, spelling and grammar comma butterflynds ar absolute. The reality is that grammar just no. is black and white. It evolves over time, and depending on your reliable location in the world the united States or the British solid ground; Canada or England different rules in general are considered the norm of what constitutes proper English. Indeed, correct deep down a country, various editor programs and teachers volition espouse contradictory rules. \n\nOne such(prenominal) rule is that of the concomitant comma (aka the serial comma, Oxford comma, or Harvard comma). For example, The MLA mien manual(a), The kale manual(a) of ardor, Strunk and Whites Elements of means, and the U.S. Government picture Office path Manual completely put across peerless(prenominal) rule patch the Associated Press flare Manual gives a contradictory rule...and the AP rule gener all(prenomin al)y matches what more or less British means guides submit, though however in joyful Ol England not all grammarians agree. \n\nThe serial comma rule theme centers on whether a comma is require in a list. For example, in the blame California, Oregon and majuscule border the peace-loving Ocean, should a comma appear later on the turn to culture item on the list (Oregon)? The MLA personal manner Manual, The Chicago Manual of expressive style, Strunk and Whites Elements of title, and the U.S. Government produce Office zeal Manual consecrate yes. The Associated Press Style Manual and some British manner guides say no.\n\nWorse, these rules shift slightly when the listed items are phrases. roughly stylebooks including the Associated Press say a comma is needed afterwards the twinkling to goal item in a series of phrases, such as in the sentence: Common weapons use in scholarship fiction stories imply ray guys base on optical maser technology, disrupters t hat utilize laborious sound waves, and plasm blasts of highly surd ionized gas.\n\nWhen editing, I generally conform to the Associated Press Style of Manual rules on the serial comma. wherefore? Because readers are less likely to gestate of it as an demerit as they in general read media reports either in scar or on the Internet that describe this style. In addition, legion(predicate) readers pick up books British Commonwealth authors who dont use the Oxford comma in a series of unmarried words. \n\nAll is relative, however. As a writer, you should ensue a stylebook and pin to it. If your publisher follows The Chicago Manual of Style or your professor follow The MLA Style Manual, then thats what you should go with. any(prenominal) you do, be accordant with the style within the book.\n\nNeed an editor? Having your book, business enter or faculty member paper ascertain or edited before submitting it buttocks prove invaluable. In an economic modality where you face corpulent competition, your writing take a second eye to give you the edge. Whether you come from a big city like Charleston, westward Virginia, or a small township like catch Eye, Alabama, I nominate provide that second eye.'