May 22, 2023

Introduction

I’ve mentioned before in these articles that I write novels.

And since I take my own advice, I send my manuscripts to an editor to get an objective, outside set of eyes to take a look at my work.

Well, I once sent my manuscript to an editor I’d never used before. When I got my manuscript back, it became very clear to me that he really did not like em-dashes.

How did I know? Because the edits he left throughout the manuscript were time stamped in Microsoft Word (if you use track changes, then you know what I’m talking about), so I could see that all the edits changing my em-dashes to commas were within a single minute of each other. That told me he did a search for all em-dashes in my manuscript just swapped them out for commas.

Here’s what irked me, though. You can’t just swap out an em-dash fora comma. They are two different punctuation marks with different meanings and uses. Because of this difference, he sent me back a manuscript with comma splices all throughout. I didn’t really appreciate that. Good editors are expensive, and that’s a lot of money to pay someone to send back your manuscript with more errors than it initially had.

Needless to say, I never used that editor again.

Plus, I was annoyed because I happen to love em-dashes, so his inclination to remove them without reading the sentences they were used in also rubbed me the wrong way.

The Em-Dash Explained

First things first, let’s start with the basics. The em-dash is a punctuation mark that is longer than a hyphen but shorter than a full stop. It’s called an em-dash because its length is equivalent to the width of the capital letter “M.” In English, it’s usually used to indicate a pause or break in the sentence to create emphasis or to indicate an interruption.

The em-dash differs from a comma in that it provides a stronger break in the sentence, creating a greater sense of emphasis. Commas are more subtle and are used to separate clauses, phrases, and items in a list. Em-dashes are also different from parentheses or brackets, which enclose additional information that’s not essential to the sentence. Em-dashes, on the other hand, add emphasis to the information they enclose.

Best Tips and Practices for Using the Em-Dash:

• Use it to emphasize a point: When you want to add emphasis to a word or phrase, the em-dash can be a powerful tool. For example: “I will not be ignored—my voice matters.”
• Use it to create a pause: If you want to create a break in the sentence for dramatic effect, the em-dash can be a useful tool. For example: “She stood there, waiting for him to respond—and he said nothing.”
• Use it to indicate an interruption: If you want to show an interruption in dialogue, the em-dash can be a helpful marker. For example: “I was just about to tell you that—oh, never mind.”
• Use it to enclose additional information: When you want to provide additional information that’s not essential to the sentence, the em-dash can be a great way to enclose it. For example: “She finally found her way home—after getting lost for three hours in the woods.”

Conclusion

The em-dash is a valuable tool in the realm of written communication. Its versatility and ability to create emphasis and add clarity to a sentence make it an excellent choice for any writer.

The em-dash is one of my favorite punctuation marks (is it weird to have a favorite punctuation mark?) and it can really add some much needed flavor to your business content.

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