DASH- TASTIC Using Dashes to Strengthen Writing

What is a dash? a punctuation mark (—) that is used especially to show a break in thought or in the structure of a sentence. Many times the dash is used to replace a comma, but provide emphasis that is not gained by the use of a simple comma. “dash.” Meriam-Webster. Encyclopedia Britanica Web 05 June 2015.

Use a dash to….

Emphasize parenthetical ideas If information is closely related to the rest of the sentence use commas to separate the two ideas. However, if information is not so closely related, parenthesis or dashes are better. Parenthesis, however, work as an aside to the information, whereas dashes emphasize the information. Example: When we found the dog he couldn’t walk-both his hip and leg were broken.

Clarify Sometimes the reader needs just a little more information to get the point, but not enough that you would need another sentence. Example: I grew up on Long Island-minutes from both NYC and the beach.

Link two parts of a sentence Using a dash to link two parts of a sentence can make the sentence stronger than using a semicolon. Example: You should use disciplinary action other than physical abuse with a puppy- otherwise he’ll fear you!

Create a pause in dialogue Sometimes an author wants to “show” a pause in speech, rather than “tell” that there is hesitation. Also used to create a pause in poetry. Example: “I saw him yesterday-I mean the other day-yeah- Wednesday.”

To recap, Use a dash to: Emphasize parenthetical ideas Clarify Link two parts of a sentence Create a pause in dialogue and poetry