The element style--Rule 1 to 5

1. Form the possessive singular of nouns by adding 's (no matter whatever the final consonant)

EX:

Burns's poems

the witch's malice

Charles's friend

Exception: possessives of ancient proper names ending in -es and -is, like Jesus', for conscience' sake, for righteousness' sake.

but such as Moses' Law, Isis' temple are commonly replaced by  the law of Moses, the temple of Isis

 2. In a series of three or more terms with a single conjunction, use a comma after each term except the last

Ex

red, white, and blue

gold, silver, or copper

Exception: In the names of businees firms the last comma is usually omitted.

Little, Brown and Company

Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette

3. Enclose parenthetic expressions between commas

Ex: the best way to see a country, unless you are pressed for time, is to travel on foot.

Note: 1) It is often difficult to decide whether a single word, such as however, or a brief phrase is or is not parenthetic.

         2) never omit one comma and leave the other.

3) Dates usually contain parenthetic words or figures. April 6, 1990  Wednesday, November 14, 1990

        4) it's preferable to write date like this: 4 April 1999 (figures are separated by a word)

5) A name or a title in direct address is parenthetic: If, sir, you refuse, I cannot predict what will happen

        Well, Susan, this is a fine mess you are in

6) abbreviation like etc., i.e., and e.g., abbr for academic degrees, and titles that follow a name are parenthetic and should be punctuated accordingly. 

Letters, packages, etc., should go here

Horace Fulsome, Ph.D., presided

The Reverend Harry Lang, S.J.

7) No comma should separate a noun from a restrictive term of identification

Billy the kid

the poet Sappho

James Wright Jr.(Jr. is restrictive and therefore not in need of a comma)

8) Nonrestrictive relative clauses are parenthetic. Commas are therefore needed.

  ( A nonrestrictive clause is one that does not serve to identify or define the antecedent noun. It can be split into two sentences)

The audience, which had first been indiffernt, became more and more interested. 

which does not tell which of several possible audiences is meant

 In 1769, when Napoleon was born, Corsica had but recently been acquired by France.

9) Restrictive clauses, by contrast, are not parenthetic and are not set off by commas. 

people who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

My cousin Bob is a talented harpist(restrictive)

My oldest daughter, Mary, sings.( nonrestricitve)

10) When the main clause of a sentence is preceded by a phrase or a subordinate clause, use a comma to set off these elements.

  Partly by hard fighting, partly by diplomatic skill, they enlarged their domain.....

4. Place a comma before a conjunction introducing an independent clause

The early records of the city have disappeared, and the story of its first years can no longer be reconstructed. 

Note: 1) Two-part sentences of which the second member is introduced by as, for, or, nor, while likewise require a comma before the conjunction.

The situation is perilous , but if we are prepared to act promptly, there is still one chance of escape. 

2) When the subject is the same for both clauses and is expressed by only once, a comma is useful if the connective s but. when the connective is and, the comma should be omitted if the reltaion between the two sentences is close or immediate.

I have heard the arguments, but am still unconvinced.

He has several years' experience and is thoroughly competent.