The basics of using a comma

Meet our friend the comma. He's really awesome! We need to use him in three situations:

1) When we have a list, we need to use a comma. Commas are great because they are cute, sweet, and they make me happy.

2) When we have an introductory phrase, we need to use a comma. After eating his dinner, John fell asleep. Some words that might start off introductory phrases: after, before, during, and if.

3) When we have two separate things going on in a sentence, we need to use a comma. John was asleep, but I was awake eating the rest of the ice cream.