Activities

1. Identify the words yes and no when used in a sentence.
   
   
2. Identify tag questions in a sentence.
   
   
3. Identify direct addresses in a sentence.
   
   
4. State the rule for punctuating yes and no when used in a sentence.
   
   
5. State the rule when punctuating tag questions in a sentence.
   
   
6. State the rule for punctuating direct addresses.

7. Apply understanding of comma use in sentences beginning with yes or no, tag questions, and direct addresses by adding the correct punctuation to various sentences:

1. 1. Have a happy birthday Grandpa.
   2. Can you help me sir?
   3. It’s important Charlie that you always wash your hands.
   4. No that is not the correct answer.
   5. Yes you are correct!
   6. You lost the game didn’t you?

8. Explain why sentences with yes or no, tag questions, and direct addresses use commas.
   
   
9. Construct sentences that correctly punctuate yes or no, tag questions, and direct addresses.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Student identifies yes or no when used in a sentence. Yes or no are used in a sentence to show joy, excitement, enthusiasm, or to answer a question.
   
   
2. Student identifies tag questions used in a sentence. Tag questions are questions converted from statements. For example: It’s nice out, isn’t it?
   
   
3. Student identifies direct addresses in a sentence. A direct address is when the person speaking uses the name or a nickname for the person they are speaking to.
   
   
4. The student should state that when a question is answered with either a yes or no, use a comma to separate the yes or the no from the rest of the sentence. Generally, the word is used at the beginning of the sentence, so they will place a comma after it. 
   
   
5. The student should state that a tag question is separated from the declarative statement by a comma. For example: You’re going home now, aren’t you?
   
   
6. The student should state that a direct address is when the person speaking uses the name or a nickname for the person they are speaking to. The name in the direct address is always set apart from the rest of the sentence by a comma or commas.

• If the name is at the end, as in the example above, the comma goes before the name.
• If the name is at the beginning of the sentence, the comma goes after the name.
• If the name is in the middle of the sentence, the name has a comma before and after.

7. Student applies understanding of comma use by adding the correct punctuation to the following sentences:
   
   
   1. Have a happy birthday, Grandpa. (Direct address)
   2. Can you help me, sir? (Direct address)
   3. It’s important, Charlie, that you always wash your hands. (Direct address)
   4. No, that is not the correct answer. (No at beginning of sentence to answer a question or show exclamation)
   5. Yes, you are correct! (Yes at beginning of sentence to answer a question or show exclamation)
   6. You lost the game, didn’t you? (Tag question)

8. Student explains why and how sentences with yes or no, tag questions, and direct addresses use commas in the sentences. This requires the student to thoughtfully explain and clarify why a sentence containing a series is punctuated the way it is.  Being able to “prove” why a comma is needed assures that the student understands the rules. 
   
   
9. Student constructs sentences that use commas correctly with yes or no, tag questions, and direct addresses. Punctuating these sentence types correctly should be evident in a variety of venues including stand-alone sentences as well as being a part of larger writings.