Intro to Punctuation for Pauses and Breaks

Intro to Punctuation for Pauses and Breaks

Using Commas, Dashes, and Ellipses

Punctuation: Pauses and Breaks

• Sometimes in your writing you will want to signal a pause.

• The pause may be in the middle of a sentence or at the end of it

• You can use COMMAS, DASHES, or ELLIPSES to cue different types of pauses

Different Types of Punctuation for Pauses

• An ellipsis ( . . . ) shows that some text has been left out, or gives a pause, a hesitation, or an incomplete thought.

• The dash (-) is used either to signal an interruption, or to call attention to some extra information.

• Commas (,) are used to set apart NON-ESSENTIAL information.

Ellipsis Examples: used to show a PAUSE/HESITATION or that text has been left off

Example 1: Ava waited...and sure enough her dog came running to the door.

Example 2: "I was wondering....can you help me with this?"

Dash Examples:

used to show INTERRUPTION, or CALL ATTENTION to extra information

Example 1: The day was amazing--the best day ever--and I thank you for making it happen!

Example 2: "I thought he was--" she was saying as the door banged open.

Comma Examples:

used to set apart NON ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

Example 1: The score at halftime, if she remembered correctly, was 28-10.

Example 2: At 4 AM, when most people are sleeping, many hunters are entering the woods.

Multiple Choice

Which type of punctuation should be used to set off NON ESSENTIAL information?

• Comma (,)

• Ellipses (...)

• Dash (-)

Multiple Choice

Which type of punctuation should be used to show an INTERRUPTION?

• Comma (,)

• Ellipses (...)

• Dash (-)

Multiple Choice

Which type of punctuation should be used to CALL ATTENTION TO extra information?

• Comma (,)

• Ellipses (...)

• Dash (-)

Multiple Choice

Which type of punctuation should be used to show a PAUSE/HESITATION?

• Comma (,)

• Ellipses (...)

• Dash (-)

We will continue to practice with these concepts throughout the week!