1. Hyphens and Dashes A Mini-Lesson
UWF Writing Lab

2. The Differences The hyphen (-) is used to separate parts of a word.
The dash (–) is used to separate parts of a sentence.
(Note: The dash can be
represented by two
hyphens.)

3. Dashes should be used in all of the following sentences
Dashes should be used in all of the following sentences. Notice the potential for confusion when the hyphen is used instead of the dash.
I have told you everything I know-nothing has been omitted from my account.
Whatever may be your pleasure-seek no further,
friends-you have come to the right place!
Boy, I love being single-parents, I feel for
you-because I don’t think I’ll ever get
married and have kids.
Please find a place to sit-down on the
left there-and we can get started.

4. Confused yet? Using a dash instead of a hyphen will correct all of these sentences:
I have told you everything I know—
nothing has been omitted from my
account.
Whatever may be your pleasure—seek
no further, friends—you have come to the right place!
Boy, I love being single—parents, I feel for you—because I don’t think I’ll ever get married and have kids.
Please find a place to sit—down on the left there—and we can get started.

5. Use a Hyphen To separate the parts of a compound adjective or noun
a well-written document
a thought-provoking story
out-of-state students
out-of-shape people
a five-year-old boy
(BUT: The boy is five
years old.)
secretary-treasurer
student-teacher ratio
work-study program
inner-city schools
jack-in-the-box
mother-in-law

6. Use a Hyphen To set off certain prefixes well-being well-preserved
self-conscious
self-employed
all-purpose
ex-minister
ex-husband
anti-intellectual
pro-American

7. Use a Dash (carefully and sparingly)
To add emphasis
Studies—published and unpublished—are included in the portfolio.
I promise I will make it to your
birthday party—as long as
you save me some cake!

8. Use a Dash To digress from the main clause
All of my classes this semester—chemistry, English, calculus, psychology, and physics—are really pushing me to my limit.
The last contestant—two
hours late—finally made it to
the competition. (This sentence is an example of digression and
emphasis.)

9. So how do I make sure to use the right one?
The dash can be represented by two hyphens (--). Microsoft Word will automatically turn two adjacent hyphens into a dash. Microsoft Word will also turn one hyphen into a dash if you enter the following keystrokes: SPACE, hyphen, SPACE. This dash (–) is a little shorter than the long dash, but it is still longer than the hyphen.

10. REVIEW NOTE THE USE OF THE HYPHEN AND THE DASH IN THE SNTENCE BELOW:
"To white evangelical women, Sarah Palin is a modern-day prophet, preaching God, flag, and family--while remaking the religious right in her own image" (Lisa Miller, June 21, Newsweek).