Salutation Question: Hi Fred, or Hi, Fred ?

[Lauren]

I thought "Hi, Fred" was a typo when I saw it.  I think that whether to use
a comma depends on how the comma would read in the complete context of the
message.

1 - "Hi, Lisa, I get a little fascinated by punctuation questions too.
Later, Lauren." 
2 - "Hi Lisa, I get a little fascinated by punctuation questions too.
Later, Lauren."

I like the second one better.  The first one is too dramatic.

I don't think that this is one of the comma discussions that inspire
controversy because you do have a genuine question and you are not trying to
further an opinion about a controversial practice.  Start a discussion about
punctuation inside or outside quotes or a about commas in lists, then you
will start an unresolvable controversial discussion.  I also don't think
that it's banal because it is a genuine question about conventions.

Lauren

> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+lauren=writeco.net at lists.techwr-l.com 
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lauren=writeco.net at lists.techwr-l.com
> ] On Behalf Of Hickling, Lisa (TOR)
> Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 9:48 AM
> To: Techwr-l
> Subject: Salutation Question: Hi Fred, or Hi, Fred ?
> 
> Assuming that commas are "de rigueur" in written salutations, where do
> you put them? Between the greeting and name or after the name? Why so?
> Is one convention to be preferred over the other?
> 
> I'm for "Hi Fred," and only recently and rarely came across the other
> form.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Lisa
> Thinking: If this query does not meet the bar for controversy or
> banality, please accept my sincerest apologies. To those who would
> respond, thanks a bunch, I really am curious about opinions on the
> subject.