Transparency Item: The Perspectives section of the Graphic is comprised of articles based on opinion. This is the opinion and perspective of the writer.
As I think about the Oxford comma, sharp pain, shuddering grief and simmering rage course through my veins.
Did you catch that? There is the unfortunate absence of a significant grammatical component in the previous sentence.
Before joining Pepperdine Graphic Media, I was unaware of the various rules of journalistic writing which followed guidelines of the Associated Press Stylebook. The first time I sent an article for edits, I was greatly disappointed to find the following note from the editor:
“Omit [Oxford] comma”
How could anyone be so heartless?
For those unfamiliar with the Oxford comma — also known as the serial comma — it is the final comma in a list of things, according to Grammarly.
For example, in the sentence “Let’s send an invitation to my parents, Taylor Swift, and Jake Gyllenhaal,” the Oxford comma is the comma before “and.”
The sentence may already cause confusion in itself. Swift and Gyllenhaal at the same party? Further, omitting the Oxford comma in this instance may lead to a greater misunderstanding:
“Let’s send an invitation to my parents, Taylor Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal.”
Few would mistake Swift and Gyllenhaal as one’s parents, but you get the point.
However, it is important to note that the AP Stylebook states to “include a final comma in a simple series if omitting it could make the meaning unclear,” according to Los Angeles Times.
But this is not enough. If the Oxford comma clarifies more often than it causes confusion, why not make it simple and always include it? Plus, the tiny squiggle brings a whole lot of happiness to many grammar nerds like myself.
Common arguments against the comma claim it can actually create ambiguity in certain situations.
Rachel Gould, assistant professor of English, said she believes the solution to improving convoluted sentences is simply to write better to begin with, not to remove the Oxford comma.
Gould provides examples where the comma is most helpful, such as lists that include a compound or ideas the reader is unfamiliar with.
“Part of what makes good writing good is when we use the tools that are in hand to make sure that we’re communicating clearly, so I think the Oxford comma assists in that,” Gould said.
I will dearly miss the excuse to include the Oxford comma in future articles. Perhaps, one day, grammar lovers may rejoice when the AP Stylebook decides to improve itself and permanently include the beloved comma.
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Follow the Graphic on Twitter: @PeppGraphic
Email Faith Oh: faith.oh@pepperdine.edu
