Dashes

Dashes -- say what?

What is a "dash"?

​Punctuation for a Pause

A dash (--) is a horizontal line that is longer than a hyphen.
A dash often represents a pause in a sentence.

Punctuation can signal how the writer wants the text to be read. Writers uses dashes to indicate an interruption or something they want to call attention to.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following punctuation marks is a "dash"?

• --

• -

• . . .

• /

Multiple Choice

Why do writers use dashes?

• A) to indicate an interruption

• B) to indicate something they want to draw attention to

• C) to create the right ✨vibes✨

• both A & B

Dash -- break in thought

Writers sometimes use dashes to indicate a break in thought.

I was heading to the store -- but then I remembered that I didn't have my wallet.

The meeting was supposed to start at 10 -- or was it 11? No one knows for sure.

"Yeah, I was wondering about that, but I --"

Dash -- signal a pause

Writers can also use dashes as a signal to readers to pause and pay attention.

Mount Rainier's Liberty Ridge climbing route is known for its amazing views and technical difficulty -- not to mention its long history of mountaineering accidents.

The results were astonishing -- more than we ever anticipated!

WAIT A MINUTE!

​I thought ellipses were used to show a break or pause?

It's true -- you can use an ellipsis OR a dash to show a break or pause in your sentence! Choosing which one to use is all about what you are intending when you write.

Dashes are used to show ABRUPT BREAKS, whereas ellipses are used to show thoughts trailing off slowly.

​Dash -- parenthetical

Writers can also use dashes in place of commas, colons, or parentheses. Dashes used this way can separate additional details in your sentence.

Mr. Lieb -- the eighth grade science teacher -- is preparing students to take the PSSAs.

I need three items from the store -- taco shells, cheddar cheese, and sour cream.

After taking all of his final exams -- including four essays and three multiple-choice tests -- Drew just wants to sleep.

Multiple Choice

What can dashes be used for?

• to show an abrupt break in thought

• to signal to the reader to pause and pay attention

• to take the place of commas, colon, or parentheses

• All of the above

PRACTICE TIME

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences has the dash in the correct place?

• Jim Abbott the -- famous MLB -- athlete is speaking tonight.

• Jim Abbott -- the famous MLB athlete -- is speaking tonight.

• Jim Abbott the famous -- MLB athlete -- is speaking tonight.

• Jim Abbott the famous MLB athlete is -- speaking tonight.

Multiple Choice

Where would you put the dash in the following sentence?

Street vendors in Philadelphia (A) prepare Philly Cheesesteaks (B) a sandwich made from thinly sliced beef (C) and melted cheese in a long (D) hoagie roll.

• A

• B

• C

• D

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sentences uses a dash correctly?

• It was a beautiful day sunshine, blue skies and -- gentle breeze.

• It was a -- beautiful day -- sunshine, blue skies, and gentle breeze.

• It -- was a beautiful day sunshine, blue skies, and gentle breeze.

• It was a beautiful day -- sunshine, blue skies, and gentle breeze.