Who Gives a $%#* About An Oxford Comma? We do.
According to Wikipedia, the Oxford Comma is the comma used immediately before a coordinating conjunction (usually and, or, and sometimes nor) preceding the final item in a list of three or more items. The AP Stylebook, which most PR folks, journalists and copywriters consider the final word in grammar and punctuation, denies its compulsory use. Only in rare situations, would anyone of us even consider it. Honestly, we think it’s ugly, unnecessary and confusing. But today we’re prepared to hear the other side of the story from our very own in-house Oxford representative, Hannah Siegel-Gardner.
BLACK SHEEP: HANNAH, you are a graduate of Oxford University. Now, just to be clear – this is the Oxford University in London?
HANNAH: Yes and yes.
BLACK SHEEP: And your degree(s) from there are in what?
HANNAH: My degree is in writing! A MSt in Creative Writing, to be exact. Go, Kellogg! – That was my college- our mascot is cereal [Editor’s note: Not unlike their comma.].
BLACK SHEEP: It seems like that would qualify you to make an authoritative statement about many things.
HANNAH: It would certainly qualify me to make statements about post-modern writing in the 20th century.
BLACK SHEEP: Well, we’re here today, because we want to discuss a long-standing grammatical debate. You work in PR, and as such, you subscribe to the minutiae of the AP Stylebook.
HANNAH: To be fair, I don’t have a choice. Aimee insists upon it. Her red ink scares me. And I suppose I like to make journalists as happy as possible, so I’m not going to complain about it (out loud).
BLACK SHEEP: But one of the AP Styles’ most infamous rules is the rejection of the Oxford comma (or serial comma) – the comma whose namesake is your educational institution! That’s kind of a big deal.
HANNAH: You have no idea. It’s been a point of contention and ethical consternation since I entered this industry. I’ve endured night sweats and panic attacks over press releases. As you can imagine, this sort of thing really does take its toll, and I just can’t please everyone.
BLACK SHEEP: And what is Oxford University’s history with this pesky comma? How do they indoctrinate their students? Is there some sort of ritual where you have to write lists in paragraph form blindfolded? Why won’t they just let it go?
HANNAH: There has been some suggestion that they are also looking to lose the serial comma, and while rumors are rampant, no official statement has been released. As for the rest, I’d love to tell you, but I had to sign an oath of secrecy.
BLACK SHEEP: Fair enough. So, as someone who has been subjected to both sides of the Oxford comma discussion, how do you REALLY feel? I promise not to pass judgment. [Editor’s note: This is a lie.]
HANNAH: I think it is an albatross that wraps itself tighter around my neck daily, a literary accessory that is fronting as a grammatical rule.
BLACK SHEEP: And have you ever had to voice your opinion about this matter?
HANNAH: Yes. I am now supposed to remain at least fifty yards away from those individuals.
BLACK SHEEP: Interesting. Well, at least the British aren’t especially prone to riot and civil unrest. You should be safe.
You’ve heard the woman. Even a University as prestigious as Oxford can’t hold down the Oxford comma contingent they’ve worked so hard to establish.