"Of Course" Comma When at the Beginning

Yes, I think so.

No, and I would never use those commas.

SnarfAre those two commas necessary?

I don't think so; at least, I never use them there. Compare:

Do you like chocolate? Of course I do.
Do you like rutabaga? Oh, I''ll eat it. Of course, I'll choose another vegetable if it's available.

Mister MicawberDo you like chocolate? Of course I do.
Do you like rutabaga? Oh, I''ll eat it. Of course, I'll choose another vegetable if it's available.

Right! These are two different of courses, though I can’t quite articulate the distinction.

Aspara Gus Mister MicawberDo you like chocolate? Of course I do.Do you like rutabaga? Oh, I''ll eat it. Of course, I'll choose another vegetable if it's available.Right! These are two different of courses, though I can’t quite articulate the distinction.

The distinction is that there is a pause with the latter but not the former, idiosyncratic to the language.

SnarfThe distinction is that there is a pause with the latter but not the former, idiosyncratic to the language.

I agree. I think a safe rule of thumb would be that a comma is not used when of course means certainly whereas one is used when it means naturally or not surprisingly.

But the use of comma depends on the writer. Doesn't it?

aseem31But the use the of the comma depends on the writer, doesn’t it?

In this case, the comma is wrong.