Hyphens and Dashes A MiniLesson UWF Writing Lab

Hyphens and Dashes A Mini-Lesson UWF Writing Lab

The Differences • The hyphen (-) is used to separate parts of a word. • The dash (–) is used to separate parts of a sentence. (Note: The dash can be represented by two hyphens. )

Dashes should be used in all of the following sentences. Notice the potential for confusion when the hyphen is used instead of the dash. � I have told you everything I know-nothing has been omitted from my account. � Whatever may be your pleasure-seek no further, friends-you have come to the right place! � Boy, I love being single-parents, I feel for you-because I don’t think I’ll ever get married and have kids. � Please find a place to sit-down on the left there-and we can get started.

Confused yet? Using a dash instead of a hyphen will correct all of these sentences: � I have told you everything I know— nothing has been omitted from my account. � Whatever may be your pleasure—seek no further, friends—you have come to the right place! � Boy, I love being single—parents, I feel for you—because I don’t think I’ll ever get married and have kids. � Please find a place to sit—down on the left there—and we can get started.

Use a Hyphen � To separate the parts of a compound adjective or noun • • • • a well-written document a thought-provoking story out-of-state students out-of-shape people a five-year-old boy (BUT: The boy is five years old. ) secretary-treasurer student-teacher ratio work-study program inner-city schools jack-in-the-box mother-in-law

Use a Hyphen �To set off certain prefixes well-being well-preserved self-conscious self-employed all-purpose ex-minister ex-husband anti-intellectual pro-American

Use a Dash (carefully and sparingly) �To add emphasis � Studies—published and unpublished—are included in the portfolio. � I promise I will make it to your birthday party—as long as you save me some cake!

Use a Dash �To digress from the main clause � All of my classes this semester—chemistry, English, calculus, psychology, and physics—are really pushing me to my limit. � � is The last contestant—two hours late—finally made it to the competition. (This sentence an example of digression and emphasis. )

So how do I make sure to use the right one? �The dash can be represented by two hyphens (--). Microsoft Word will automatically turn two adjacent hyphens into a dash. Microsoft Word will also turn one hyphen into a dash if you enter the following keystrokes: SPACE, hyphen, SPACE. This dash (–) is a little shorter than the long dash, but it is still longer than the hyphen.

REVIEW �NOTE THE USE OF THE HYPHEN AND THE DASH IN THE SNTENCE BELOW: �"To white evangelical women, Sarah Palin is a modern-day prophet, preaching God, flag, and family--while remaking the religious right in her own image" (Lisa Miller, June 21, 2010 Newsweek).