To Serial Comma or Not to Serial Comma

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Editing Tip: This is a punctuation concept I sometimes have trouble explaining to my clients. I tell them one thing, then they see it used by a perfectly respectable publication some other way. I call it a style choice, but generally it’s not a choice when you publish books. Wondering what it is? It’s called the serial comma. The Chicago Tribune clarifies for us! http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-07-18/news/ct-perspec-0717-things-20110714_1_rudimentary-punctuation-semicolon-punctuation-marks  


----- Carolyn Howard-Johnson edits, consults. and speaks on issues of publishing. Find her The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success (How To Do It Frugally series of book for writers). Learn more about her other authors' aids at www.howtodoitfrugally.com/writers_books.htm , where writers will find lists and other helps including Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips on the Resources for Writers page. She blogs on all things publishing (not just editing!) at her Sharing with Writers blog. She tweets writers' resources at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo . Please tweet this post to your followers. We all need a little help with editing. (-: