Quotes help

[sr71plt]

Back to the previous, so I can learn from it, a comma is "required"?

Yes, it's direct address.

 

[Great_Brit]

... so I can learn from it, a comma is "required"?

A simpler explanation is:

If a sentence is said, followed by an indication of the target person(s) to whom it is aimed, then the sentence spoken is written:
"sentence spoken, target."

This is sometimes called the vocative case. In more formal times it would have been written:
"sentence spoken, o target."

 

[sr71plt]

I'm not sure why this is simpler than simply stating that the addressee is set off by a comma in direct address--or why the concept is so hard to understand.

 

[PacoFear]

I'm with SR on this. Direct address doesn't have to be confusing, but for whatever reason it seems to trip folks up when the address is at the end.

Just about everyone senses the proper punctuation when the address is in the front:

"Bob, relax." rather than "Bob relax."

It's no different when the address is on the back end:

"Relax, Bob." rather than "Relax Bob."

See? Easy peasy.