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The Oxford Comma

“I have been correcting the proofs of my poems. In the morning, after hard work, I took a comma out of one sentence…. In the afternoon I put it back again.” – Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

In today’s blog, we will discuss the long-standing debate among grammar nerds – the use of the Oxford comma. What is it? Why do we refuse to use it? When do we submit to using it? Lol

What Is the Oxford Comma?

The Oxford comma is also known as the serial comma. This is the comma that comes after the next to last item in a series of items and before “and” as well as “or” in a sentence. In the below example it is the comma after Certificate of Dissolution.

The paralegal drafts the Complaint, Voluntary Appearance, Certificate of Dissolution, and the Statement of Confidential Information.

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Why Use It?

There are many reasons to use it. Such as, it is considered “Legal Writing Style,” if there were such clarification in the legal field. However, there is even case law to back this up.

Additionally, well it’s popular. It has been my experience that most people in the legal field prefer to use it.

Another reason to use it is that it can, at times, clarify a sentence.

For example:

In the courtroom were the defendants, Jane Addams and William Monroe Trotter.

The above sentence could be interpreted as Jane Addams and William Monroe Trotter are the defendants in the courtroom. But it could also be interpreted as Jane Addams and William Monroe Trotter were in the courtroom with the defendants.

When Your Attorneys ❤ the Oxford Comma – You Use It

I use the Oxford comma when drafting pleadings. It is my legal pleading style. I have also noticed that most attorneys love the use of the Oxford comma. As such, I use it as a default when I am drafting correspondence for attorneys. However, not all attorneys are fans of the Oxford comma.

It’s very easy to adapt to different attorney’s styles. It’s just like any other part of proofreading my work. I will check to make sure it meets the style of that particular attorney.

Why Not Use It?

On the Paralegal Power Blog it is my party and I can refuse to use the Oxford comma if I want to. And when given the option, I choose not to use the Oxford comma.

In the above example, I would rewrite my sentence to be clear without the use of the Oxford comma. Yes, all that extra lol.

For example:

Jane Addams and William Monroe Trotter were in the courtroom with the defendants.

Why am I dead set against it? Well, the main reason is it doesn’t make sense to me. I know that can be a theme in the English language, but I prefer to simplify things if given the option.

But it is also because before I became a paralegal I had the great opportunity to work for the local newspaper in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. I learned so much about the English language and grammar, at the same time I learned AP Style.

AP Stylo

AP Style of writing is much more focused on concise, condensed writing. For so many reasons concise writing helped publications get more into their publications. To the point the Oxford comma is not AP Style.

This is absolutely contrary to the wordiness I found in the legal field. Any newspaper editor would die at the overuse of “that” alone if tasked to review legal pleadings.

Spanish Stylo

So it has been a habit for me to omit the Oxford comma for decades now. Additionally, my mother’s first language was Spanish. I am considered to be a native Spanish speaker as I have grown up with the language since I was born. Although I did not actually converse regularly in Spanish until I was a teenager.

Knowing Spanish has helped me tremendously as an English speaker and understanding the English language. But it also gives you a frame of reference for a language that is not over complicated with rules and exceptions.

In Spanish, we are taught that the comma is used in place of the word “and.” As such, it is redundant to use a comma as well as the word “and.” This is why I choose not to use the Oxford comma.

I love all humans regardless of their love or disdain for the Oxford comma. I only encourage you to stay consistent. When you go back and forth, it really looks like you just have a comma problem. Which no one should have. Grammarly is free and we have a link to download it for you all on our Resource Page.

Caso Stylo

Because every firm has its quirks, rules and exceptions. It makes so much sense to create a House Writing Style Guide for your firm.

Not only does it reduce training time when it comes to adding on new employees, but it lets them know exactly what you expect from their writing.

So much of an attorney’s job when working with paralegals is proofing and editing their work. A guide to keeping everyone on the same page is a huge time saver.

One could describe me as “so extra” when it comes to my efforts in making clear my lack or use of the Oxford comma in the blog and on the website. I even put it in our disclaimer. 😁

But no one could ever tell me I wasn’t explicit in our website’s disclaimer or our house writing style guide. Yes, big or small, your business and or law firm should have it’s own writing style guide. This is a must for any well-organized law firm. Developing best practices when it comes to how your firm is represented in its writings will always be worth the time.

You can go to HubSpot and search “Writing Style Guide” and find some great resources to get started.

This post was proofread by Grammarly.

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