Overview/Background

The debate of whether or not to use the Oxford (serial) comma has long been a hot topic in the legal field. Opinions on both sides are very strong. It's almost as big as the debate on whether there should be one or two spaces in between sentences. (I have been #TeamOneSpace for years, but recently my colleagues convinced me to use two spaces when drafting appellate briefs!)

In this case, the lack of an Oxford comma was a $5,000,000.00 mistake:

Missing Oxford Comma Leads to Million-Dollar Recovery:

LINK : https://www.lawyersmutualnc.com/blog/missing-oxford-comma-leads-to-million-dollar-recovery

Articles arguing both sides of the debate.

1. Legal Writing Tip: Seriously, Just Use the Serial Comma: LINK: https://www.sfbar.org/blog/legal-writing-tip-seriously-just-use-the-serial-comma/

2. Legal Writing Notebook: Why I'm Over the Oxford Comma: LINK: https://minnlawyer.com/2017/05/02/legal-writing-notebook-why-im-over-the-oxford-comma/

3. Why Using the Oxford Comma Is a Sign of Bad Writing: LINK: https://thefederalist.com/2019/10/01/why-using-the-oxford-comma-is-a-sign-of-bad-writing/

4. 'For Want of a Comma': The Latest in the Oxford Comma War: LINK: https://www.ncbarblog.com/for-want-of-a-comma-the-latest-in-the-oxford-comma-war/

The Assignment

Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to develop a mini paper convincing mewhy I should be for, or against, the Oxford comma.

Seriously, die on your hill. Do not hold back.

To Receive Credit

Rules explicitly to receive credit.

Think CREAcC as you plan your paper! Works perfectly with five paragraphs.

3. You must cite, meaningfully, from all four articles. You can cite to more persuasive sources, of course, but you must at least include a quote/concept from each of the ones I posted above. If it is an article that is against the point you're trying to make, distinguish it! Show me why it would be under the "little c" in CREAC.

C: Cite the issue(s) or question(s) presented in this case and the Court's conclusion.

R: What rule or rules did the Court apply? Upon which cases did they rely?

E: Explain the rule

A: Apply the rule

C: Restate the Court's holding. What was the disposition of the case?

4. Do not use passive voice. Check your work for grammatical and spelling issues.