Grammar- Dashes

​Language Conventions.

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Grammar: Dashes.​

Well-being

Brushing teeth.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​CCSS.

​ELA.6.L.1e: Recognize variations from standard English in their own and others’ writing and speaking, and identify and use strategies to improve expression in conventional language.

ELA.6.L.2a:Use punctuation (commas, parentheses, dashes) to set off nonrestrictive/parenthetical elements.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Lesson Objectives

Use dashes to set off non-restrictive elements. 

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Essential Question.

Why is it important to use dashes in writing?

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

WHY IT MATTERS

​Using dashes and parentheses to add nonrestrictive elements to sentences is another way to give variety to your sentences and keep your reader engaged. Notice how the writer of the paragraph below uses these punctuation marks. 

​

Have you ever wondered why the twenty-six letters on a computer keyboard are arranged the way they are? It's because of the invention of the typewriter (officially introduced in 1870). Cristopher Latham Sholes—after reading about typewriting machines in a magazine—made a primitive typewriter from a telegraph key, piano wire, carbon paper, and glass. Though the machine could only type one letter (the letter w), it caught the attention of financial investors. 

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Dashes

​Writers use dashes to interrupt their thoughts abruptly or to emphasize important ideas. A stylistic choice—used in both literary and informational texts—dashes add variety and voice.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Dashes

Many words and phrases are used parenthetically; that is, they break into the main idea of the sentence. These elements are nonrestrictive, meaning that they provide information that is not essential and does not restrict (or limit) the element it modifies.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Punctuations: Comma, Parenthesis, and Dashes.​

Nonrestrictive or parenthetical elements can be set off with commas, dashes, or parentheses.

EXAMPLES

The tomato, however, is actually a fruit, not a vegetable.

Paul Revere—he imported hardware—made beautiful jewelry and utensils.

The outcome (which candidate would be elected governor) was in the hands of the voters.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Dashes

The dash can also be used to introduce a list, a restatement, or a dramatic shift in tone or thought.

EXAMPLES

Most planets have Greek or Roman names—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn were all Roman myths.

Jaycee has lived in Massachusetts her whole life—she has been here for twelve years now.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Use Sparingly

Don't overuse dashes or parentheses in your writing. Most of the time, commas will do. Try to limit your use of dashes and parentheses to true breaks in thought, such as asides, afterthoughts, or dramatic shifts.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

Choose the option that shows correct usage of dashes. 

• Komodo dragons—the largest of all monitor lizards—can be found in Indonesia.

• Komodo dragons, the largest of all monitor lizards—can be found in Indonesia.

• Komodo dragons the largest of all monitor lizards can be found in—Indonesia.

• Komodo dragons the largest—of all monitor lizards—can be found in Indonesia.

Multiple Choice

Choose the option that shows correct usage of dashes.

• Ms. Alonso she just left—will be one of the judges of the talent show.

• Ms. Alonso she just left will be—one of the—judges of the talent show.

• Ms. Alonso, she just left, will be one of the judges—of the talent show.

• Ms. Alonso—she just left—will be one of the judges of the talent show.

Multiple Choice

Choose the option that shows correct usage of dashes. 

• A beautiful grand piano—it was once played by Chopin was on display in the museum.

• A beautiful grand piano—it was once played by Chopin—was on display in the museum.

• A beautiful grand piano, it was once played by Chopin was on display—in the museum. 

• A beautiful grand piano it was once played by Chopin—was on display in the museum.

Multiple Choice

Choose the option that shows correct usage of dashes.

• Frederick Remington artist, historian, and lover of the frontier—is famous for his paintings of the West.

• Frederick Remington—artist, historian, and lover of the frontier, is famous for his paintings of the West.

• Frederick Remington—artist, historian, and lover of the frontier—is famous for his paintings of the West.

• Frederick Remington artist, historian, and lover of the frontier is famous for his paintings—of the West.

Multiple Choice

Choose the option that shows correct usage of dashes. 

• You can take the leftovers here—use this container—home with you.

• You can take the leftovers here, use this container home—with you.

• You can take the leftovers—here, use this container—home with you.

• You can take the leftovers—here, use this container, home with you.

Multiple Choice

Choose the option that shows correct usage of dashes. 

• But we just got here—can’t the band play one more song?

• But—we just got here—can’t the band play one more song?

• But, we just got here can’t the band play—one more—song?

• But, we just got—here can’t the band play one more song?

Multiple Choice

Choose the option that shows correct usage of dashes.

• There are a thousand reasons—well, not a thousand—but many that we should go.

• There are a thousand reasons—well, not a thousand, but many that we should go.

• There are a thousand reasons, well, not a thousand, but many—that we should go.

• There are a thousand reasons—well, not a thousand, but many—that we should go.

Multiple Choice

Choose the option that shows correct usage of dashes. 

• Her suggestion—to serve nachos at the party—was a good one.

• Her suggestion—to serve nachos at the party, was a good one.

• Her suggestion to serve nachos at the party—was a good one.

• Her suggestion to serve nachos—at the party—was a good one.

Multiple Choice

Choose the option that shows correct usage of dashes. 

• I know what we could get Brian for his birthday—a new phone.

• I know what we could get—Brian for his birthday—a new phone.

• I know—what we could get Brian for his birthday—a new phone.

• I know what we could get Brian, for his birthday—a new phone.

Multiple Choice

Choose the option that shows correct usage of dashes. 

• The owner of the restaurant—I can’t remember his name, said he would give us a discount.

• The owner of the restaurant, I can’t—remember his name—said he would give us a discount.

• The owner of the restaurant, I can’t remember his name—said he would give us a discount.

• The owner of the restaurant—I can’t remember his name—said he would give us a discount.

Open Ended

Write your own sentence using dashe

Poll

How do you find today's lesson?

• Bad

• Ok

• Good

• Very Good