Many writers seem hesitant to dash in and use a dash or two in their writing. Although it is not wise to overuse dashes, a sprinkle or two of dashes used sparingly may add a little spice to a writer's sentence structure.
Perhaps the reason for dash-less writing is the uncertainty about when to use a dash correctly. Here are the three rules to help writers be more confident about dash use.
*Rule: Use the dash to indicate an abrupt break in thought.
EXAMPLE
The real villain turns out to be -- but I don't want to spoil the
ending for those of you who have not yet seen the movie.
*Rule: Use a dash to set off parenthetical material.
EXAMPLE
Very few people in this class -- three to be exact -- have
completed their projects.
*Rule: Use a dash to mean namely, in other words, that is, and similar expressions that precede explanations.
EXAMPLE
She joined the chorus for only one reason -- she loved to sing.
(Note: The dash and colon are often interchangeable in this use. A dash may be considered more emphatic than a colon. If the dash is overused, it loses its emphasis.)
Now that you are dashing through your writing, don't forget to put the one-horse open sleigh in the barn, and laugh all the way through your dashing.
