<p>Is it considered 'correct' on the ACT?</p>
<p>Can you define what an Oxford comma is?</p>
<p>@An1100345 - Sure. </p>
<p>“In English punctuation, a serial comma or series comma (also called Oxford comma and Harvard comma) is a comma placed immediately before the coordinating conjunction (usually and, or, or nor) in a series of three or more terms. For example, a list of three countries might be punctuated either as “France, Italy, and Spain” (with the serial comma), or as “France, Italy and Spain” (without the serial comma).” (<a href=“Serial comma - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_comma</a>)</p>
<p>I think they follow the oxford comma, since it is very common in everyday writing.</p>
<p>@An1100345 - I see. In Canada, they teach us that we have the choice to use it or not - as long as we’re consistent (at least at my school). I just wanted to make sure for the ACT. Thank you An!</p>
<p>The ACT doesn’t test controversial grammar topics like the Oxford comma. </p>
<p>I doubt that it is tested but note the following link which disagrees with my assumption:</p>
<p><a href=“http://i-tutor-english.com/2011/05/11/act-and-the-serial-comma.aspx”>http://i-tutor-english.com/2011/05/11/act-and-the-serial-comma.aspx</a></p>
<p>and also see</p>
<p><a href=“Rule of Commas - Test Preparation - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/1476790-rule-of-commas.html</a></p>
<p>The example in the latter thread almost made me a believer in the serial comma :)</p>
<p>@guitartrombone @2018RiceParent - In the Writing section, will they evaluate your Oxford comma use (ie you have to use it). </p>
<p>I strongly doubt that you would be forced to use Oxford comma. I did not to use it and scored well (albeit years ago), and both styles are “correct.” My opinion against Oxford comma usage has changed since I have been shown examples where its use can clarify the relationship among sequences of items. I no longer am “anti-Oxford-comma.” </p>
<p>I could not find an official position on this on the ACT site … but … I do see them describe as “effective” a sample essay which uses Oxford comma see paragraph 2 and the final paragraph of <a href=“ACT Test Preparation | Test Prep Resources | ACT”>ACT Test Preparation | Test Prep Resources | ACT; No mention was made of this being an error, and the essay was considered grammatically correct, so there is an implied acceptance of Oxford comma usage on the ACT site.</p>
<p>I believe that if your most serious worry about writing is the Oxford comma, and if you have conquered the usual high school problems of boring, vague writing and instead can create writing with movement, direction (and perhaps even writing that has a sense of rhythm) that can create interest in the reader - then you will ace the writing section. Best of luck with this, and enjoy learning new tricks, and finding out what you like in the writing of others that you can use in your own writing. It is a lifelong challenge, but a fun one.</p>
<p>@2018RiceParent - Thank you so much for the uplifting paragraph. I try my best to write in a style I enjoy, and hopefully they will enjoy it aswell (the graders :p).</p>