Let’s get to the point, folks.
A direct address is when you are addressing a person or group directly and you use a name or something like, “sir” or “everyone” in relating to that person or group.
Example: [see first line of post]
I see what you did there…
The direct address can fall anywhere within a sentence. If it begins a sentence, a comma needs to follow it.
Ex: Felix, if you cough up one more hairball on my carpet, you’ll get to see what it’s like to be an outdoor cat.
If the direct address is in the middle of a sentence, there needs to be a comma before and after it.
Ex: You know, kitty, just because I enjoy talking with you doesn’t mean I’m lonely.
If the direct address ends a sentence, a comma needs to come before it.
Ex: Would you like to eat, Fluffy?
Now let’s look at that last sentence without the direct address comma.
Would you like to eat Fluffy?
Please don’t eat me.
You monster.
The Grammar Cat 