How do you use a dash to indicate a pause or break?

1. How do you use a dash to indicate a pause or break? For example: I do the work—she gets all the credit.

2. In this lesson you will learn how to use a dash to indicate a pause or break by determining if the writing is formal or informal.

3. Comma for pause or break Ellipsis for pause or break Dash for pause or break Ellipsis for omission

4. En dash: width of an n. Used for time periods or combined open compounds. For example: 1861-1865, Canada-U.S. border • Em dash: width of an m. Used for pauses or breaks.

5. In formal writing, an m dash only shows a sudden change of thought. Could you please—oh, forget it.

6. In informal writing, an m dash can also replace a semicolon, a colon, a comma or parenthesis. ; : , ()

7. In formal writing, a semi-colon shows a pause between independent clauses. I do the work; he gets all the credit. Independent clause Independent clause

8. In formal writing, a colon shows a pause before a list or series. My deal with my brother is simple: I do his chores and he helps me with my math. I want to do three things on vacation: go to the beach, eat at a restaurant, and visit with my cousins.

9. In formal writing, commas or parenthesis could be used to rename. Please call my teacher, Ms. Daley, about my test grade. Please call my teacher (Ms. Daley) about my test grade.

10. Ask, “Is my writing formal or informal?” 1 • If it is informal, feel free to insert an em dash. 2 If it is formal, ask, “Does this pause indicate a sudden change of thought?” If so, insert an em dash. If not, you must use more formal punctuation. 3

11. 1 • Ask, “Is my writing formal or informal?” Kate, at the store, we need pencils, pens, notebooks, and backpacks. Just a note to my sister. Informal.

12. Examples of informal writing where you can use the em dash for a break or pause: • Personal letters • Fictional writing with a light or funny feel • Emails and texts to peers and family members • Academic notes for your own use

13. 2 If it is informal, free to insert an em dash. Kate, At the store, we need pencils, pens, notebooks, and backpacks. —

14. 1 • Ask, “Is my writing formal or informal?” This is an essay for my social studies class. It is formal. There were several taxes that angered the colonists before the American Revolution the Molasses Act, the Stamp Act, the Sugar Act and the Tea Act. Many colonists felt there should I can skip to the third step.

15. If it is formal, ask, “does this pause indicate a sudden change of thought?” If so, insert an em dash. If not, you must use more formal punctuation. 3 There were several taxes that angered the colonists before the American Revolution the Molasses Act, the Stamp Act, the Sugar Act and the Tea Act. Many colonists felt there should No sudden change—this is a list. I need a colon. :

16. Very few examples include a sudden change of thought in formal writing. 99% of the time, the em dash will be used in informal writing.

17. Rare em dash in formal writing This is an article for the school paper, so it’s formal. During the student council meeting, Mr. Cobb, obviously frustrated with the officers, shouted, “If you don’t even care about a dance—I’m done!”. At which point, he threw up his hands and left the room. But, Mr. Cobb changed thoughts suddenly and I am quoting him. The em dash works!

18. In this lesson, you have learned how to use a dash to indicate a pause or break by determining if the writing is formal or informal.

19. Read the sentences and decide what punctuation you would use if the sentence was in formal writing and in informal writing. 1.Ex.: Please give John the tall kid this book. 2. Call her tomorrow she’ll let you know then. 3. We need a player who can do the following make a lay-up, block on defense and hit three pointers. Formal-commas, informal-em dashes

20. Read the sentences and decide what punctuation you would use if the sentence was in formal writing and in informal writing. 4. Couldn’t he just oh what was I thinking? 5. I have done all that was asked of me I expect a good grade. 6.My other cousin the funny one will be at my grandparents’ house with us next weekend.

21. Punctuation Scavenger Hunt • Use printed material in your classroom: novels, newspapers, textbooks, etc. • Find three examples of the following punctuation marking a pause/break: commas, colons, semi-colons, and parenthesis. • You must cite the source and page number of each sentence. • You must also re-write each sentence with em dashes to prove it would work if found in an informal text.

22. The Dash Dash • Get into teams of five. • Each player is assigned commas, semi-colons, colons, parenthesis, or em dash. • Commas kid starts at the front of the room, the rest at the back. Comma kid writes a sentence using dashes for pauses in place of commas. When he is done, another player rushes to the front to do his sentence with dashes in place of his punctuation. Em-dash must do a change of thought.

23. The Dash Dash • When you are all done, the teacher checks. • If a mistake is found, all can try to fix it. • First team all correct wins.

24. Read the sentences and decide what punctuation you would use if the sentence was in formal writing and in informal writing. • Mark and Jacob had three goals win first place in the tournament, make the honor role, and get dates for the dance. • I’ve studied everything I will ace this. • Check with Ms. Feldman the secretary in the counselors office for the paperwork.