Introductory Clauses & Sentence Starts
Today, I want to teach you an important proofreading trick—the “first word scan.”
Read the following paragraph, and notice that the content explains what is highlighted.
If the sentence begins with an introductory clause or phrase, you need to put a comma after that clause or phrase. I have a theory that you can quickly scan the first word of each sentence to tell which sentences might need a comma. Sentences that start with something that isn't typically a subject need a closer look. Whenever a sentence starts with a word that is typically a subject, you can move on. If you're not sure, then check for an introductory clause or phrase. By the way, the highlighted passages are introductory clauses and phrases, and I have placed commas after them.
This page focuses on seeing patterns and eliminating a common, silly mistake.
The trick is simple: Look at the first word of every sentence in your--or your peer's--drafts. If the word doesn't usually serve as a subject, a comma is required.
Writing Agenda Introduction The Writing Process Active Voice Combating Run-ons Introductory Clauses & Sentence Starts Sentence Types and Variety Closing out the Unit