Comma or not?

09:56 Nov 7, 2012 

First version

Dear John,

I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we're apart. I can be forever happy -- will you let me be yours?

Gloria

Second version

Dear John,

I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we're apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be?

Yours,

Gloria

09:50 Nov 7, 2012 

Note that in some circumstances, using a comma or not can change the meaning. Compare these two sentences:

He said he wouldn't go for a walk, because it was raining.

He said he wouldn't go for a walk because it was raining.

In the first instance, we understand that he said it because it was raining: Because it was raining, he said he wouldn't go for a walk.

In the 2nd, we understand it is his not going for a walk that is caused by the rain: He said that because it was raining he wouldn't go for a walk.

This is a facile and fatuous example, but it is important to realize the effect a comma can have.