What is an Em Dash? How You Can Use It In Your Writing?
If you are a writer or an avid reader then you can’t disagree with the fact that dashes have a certain panache to them, and it enables you to share the diversity of feelings and tones with this simple punctuation mark. Dashes, especially em dashes allow the readers to denote the nuanced shift of tonality in a prose unlike any other punctuation. If you are one of those who struggle to use an Em Dash then you must find your answer in this article as it will share nuanced instances that will help you to overcome this stage.
Ø What is Em Dash?
This is a punctuation mark and it can be used to emphasize something or abruptly change the tonality in a write-up, although it establishes the usages of something. Many writers continue to struggle to understand when and how it should be used. But it is one of the most easy-to-use punctuations that you can use on various occasions. When used correctly, this punctuation mark spruces up the writing offering conviction and clarity at the same time.
Ø Purpose of Em Dash
This is a versatile punctuation tool that has occupied a special position in the hearts of every writer separately. It originates from many years back, during the time of the typewriters. Em Dash is a long hyphen that can decrease the usage of commas and the use of it also significantly evolved through years since the time of its inception.
1. Discontinued Sentence Structure – Em Dash can denote the abrupt change or break in a sentence
2. Speech Interruption – It can also indicate an interruption in speech like confusion, hesitation, or a simple pause for the speaker
3. Em Dash eliminates parenthesis – With the use of an em dash, you can easily remove the additional qualities of a sentence and make it more crisped and more understandable.
4. Introduction – It also defines an introduction as starting a list or adding a point to a prose.
5. Colon Replacements – Often Em Dash replaces colon or semicolon to link a clause or a sentence with another.
6. The Illustrative Punctuation – an Em Dash or a couple of Em Dashes depicts illustration and amplifies the material introduction for a phrase.
7. Initiation and Summary – with an Em Dash you can initiate the summary of a piece effectively.
8. Author’s Name – with an em dash you can write the name of the author below the title or after the prose.
There are numerous ways you can use an em dash but this is how the fascination with Em dash has started. Without the proper usage of an em dash, many sentences can lose their tenacity and the coherence of it. Commas and colons are surely effective but em dash is something that allows you to assimilate and emphasize a piece without working too hard. This is why em dashes have become an integral part of writing, though many writers often hesitate to use them, in only benefit the writing and allow the writer to express their sole feeling through it.
Ø Em Dash Incorporation
This is the easiest part of writing. In this article, we have mentioned various usages of em dash, and whenever you feel like using em dash or not, make sure you remember the usages or purposes of em dash and use it when you feel it. Use it in the following options:
- To introduce
- To emphasize
- To list out things
- To elaborate on a fact
- To denote accuracy and precision
Use it and you will make writing easy for you and for your readers to under it properly without any sort of difficulties. But make sure you also have learned the differences between an Em Dash and an En Dash. Their divergences are fine but, they might affect your nuanced writing styles.
Ø Mistakes you must avoid
Too much of everything can be harmful, so, understand the common mistakes that people often make for their write-ops when they are using em dashes. Here are some mistakes that you must not make:
- Overuse
- Neglecting other punctuation
- Neglecting Consistency
- Replacing words with em dashes
These are some of the most common mistakes that writers make when they use an em dash, but, apart from these mistakes you can easily use this miraculous punctuation mark to bring the best out of your writing style and amplify the conciseness of your write-up.
