Oxford Comma - college essays

[Anonymous]

Should the essays have an Oxford comma or not?
Thoughts? I personally think it looks like an adult edited the essay, so no, but looks like others may disagree?

"The Oxford comma is a special kind of comma that comes before the last item in a list, before the word “and” or “or.” Using the Oxford comma is a stylistic choice, but you have to make a decision and stick with it for your whole essay."
https://www.collegeessayadvisors.com/grammar-mistakes-that-could-kill-your-college-essay/

[Anonymous]

Do it or don't do it. Jesus Christ.

[Anonymous]

It doesn’t matter unless the meaning is confusing without a comma. The serial comma is optional. -Editor

[Anonymous]

Oxford commas clarify meaning.


I would like to thank my parents, God, and Principal Smith

vs.

I would like to thank my parents, God and Principal Smith.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oxford commas clarify meaning.


I would like to thank my parents, God, and Principal Smith

vs.

I would like to thank my parents, God and Principal Smith.

Yes, use it in those rare cases, but 99% of the time it makes no difference to the meaning of a sentence.

Using an Oxford comma when it isn't necessary is dumb, stupid, and nerdy.

Using an Oxford comma when it isn't necessary is dumb, stupid and nerdy.

[Anonymous]

Writer here. FWIW, I always use them. But this matters 0 percent for these essays.

[Anonymous]

You are driving your child crazy. It does not matter. Just pick one and be consistent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Writer here. FWIW, I always use them. But this matters 0 percent for these essays.

This. The oxford comma won't make or break a student's essay or their eventual acceptance/rejection.

[Anonymous]

Consistency matters more than whatever specific style you use (full disclosure, I’m also an editor - and my personal preference is to use the Oxford comma). I don’t think it indicates an adult edited the essay though. My kid’s HS teaches them to use the Oxford comma.

[Anonymous]

To quote the song "Who gives a f**k about an Oxford Comma?"

[Anonymous]

Oxford comma all the way!

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/08/584391391/maine-dairy-drivers-settle-overtime-case-that-hinged-on-an-absent-comma

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oxford commas clarify meaning.


I would like to thank my parents, God, and Principal Smith

vs.

I would like to thank my parents, God and Principal Smith.

Yes, use it in those rare cases, but 99% of the time it makes no difference to the meaning of a sentence.

Using an Oxford comma when it isn't necessary is dumb, stupid, and nerdy.

Using an Oxford comma when it isn't necessary is dumb, stupid and nerdy.

Well, I agree that OP should pick one and not worry about it. But to me, these two are not interchangeable. They're close, but the former presents a list of equally weighted adjectives, while the latter makes a single statement (it's dumb), with the second and third adjectives expansions of the meaning of "dumb." I can see using both, but they wouldn't mean the same thing.

On the issue of the oxford comma, I am annoying, meticulous, and precise.
On the issue of the oxford comma, I am annoying, meticulous and precise.
(yeah, in this case the latter's closer).

[Anonymous]

Good lord. Find a hobby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good lord. Find a hobby.

Seriously. Or even better, get laid.

[Anonymous]

My son uses it and I hate it.