How To Use Em Dashes In Dialogue
Below i ll show examples of how to use these punctuation marks depending on the nature of the interruption.
How to use em dashes in dialogue. Although colons and commas can serve the same function em dashes create a more dramatic effect. The em dash sometimes just called a dash is used to set off information from the rest of the sentence and mimics or copycats other more formal punctuation marks. It is often used in place of colons or semicolons. If you want to include the parenthetical content more subtly use parentheses. Passions have always run high when it comes to punctuation issues it would seem.
Nonbreaking space in word for windows. The em dash is not always correct though. Changes of thought while speaking stammering or brief and long pauses. So use them judiciously. To answer your last question amanda ellipses can be correct.
When your time is up post your practice in the comments section. A pair of em dashes can replace a pair of parentheses. Use an em dash with an exclamation point or question mark but not with a comma a colon or a semi colon and only rarely with a period. Authors like to use em dashes in all three cases. Emphasize important or essential information em dashes can be used to emphasize important or essential information midsentence or at the end of sentences.
Write for fifteen minutes on the following writing prompt. It is also common to use a pair of em dashes to replace parentheses or a pair of commas. An em dash is also useful in dialogue to show a break in thought that s abrupt rather than a trailing thought that gets an ellipsis. The hyphen the em dash and the ellipsis. Ctrl shift spacebar ellipsis character in word for windows.
Ashley stared at max who was sitting in the middle of the disheveled living room. It s pretty much agreed that there s not really a wrong way to use an em dash or rather most ways in which people are naturally inclined to use it are acceptable. Alt ctrl period. If you want to draw attention to the parenthetical content use dashes. Three types of punctuation signify interrupted dialogue.