Correct use of comma

[Sweet G]

Of the two statements below which one has the correct comma usage:

a) Santa Claus left presents for Amy, David and Mark
b) Santa Claus left presents for Amy, David, and Mark

i.e In statement b) is it correct to use a comma after "David".

Thanks

[dr pop]

a is correct

[kempie]

Ahhh, the 'Oxford comma'.

There is nothing inherently wrong with placing a comma before the 'and' in a list of three or more items, however this is not the style taught in the UK. In US English it appears to be mandatory.

http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/abo utother/oxfordcomma

[Clanad]

Call me anachronistic, but the word and as used in the example is a conjunction, and as such makes the use of a comma superfluous...

[luckyeight]

Agree with Clanad- a comma is superfluous before a conjunction and shouldn't be used there (b) so (a) would be correct.

[kempie]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_comma

[Sweet G]

Thanks all.

The wikipedia description is particularly useful. The Oxford comma is recommended to remove ambiguity; for that reason I will use it where necessary.