Parentheses and Dashes Rules PARENTHESES Rule 1 Use

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Parentheses and Dashes Rules • PARENTHESES: – Rule 1: Use parentheses to enclose informative

Parentheses and Dashes Rules • PARENTHESES: – Rule 1: Use parentheses to enclose informative or explanatory material of minor importance. • DASHES: – Rule 1: Indicate an abrupt break in thought – Rule 2: To mean namely, in other words, or that is before an explanation

Parentheses • Use parentheses to enclose informative or explanatory material of minor importance. –

Parentheses • Use parentheses to enclose informative or explanatory material of minor importance. – Former Representative Barbara Jordan (Texas) was on that committee. – The length of the Mekong River is 4, 186 kilometers (about 2, 600 miles). • A parenthetical sentence that falls within another sentence should not begin with a capital letter unless it begins with a word that should always be capitalized AND should not end with a period but may end with a question mark or exclamation point. – The largest island of the Solomon Islands (see the map on page 453) is Guadalcanal. – I hope I persuaded Alex (is he a senior? ) to help us. • A parenthetical sentence that stands by itself should begin with a capital letter AND should end with a period, question mark, or exclamation point. – The largest island of the Solomon Islands is Guadalcanal. (See the map on page 453. ) – Alex asked me if he could help us. (What do you think I said? )

Dashes • Use a dash to indicate an abrupt break in thought. – The

Dashes • Use a dash to indicate an abrupt break in thought. – The director of that film – I can’t recall his name – said there would be a sequel. – The truth is – and you probably already know this – we can’t finish the project on time. • Use a dash to mean namely, in other words, or that is before an explanation. – It was a close call – the sudden gust of wind pushed the helicopter to within inches of the power line. – The early Native American civilizations – the Mayan, the Incan, and the Aztec – depended mainly on farming for their livelihood.

Parentheses and Dashes Practice Add parentheses or dashes where they are needed. • 1.

Parentheses and Dashes Practice Add parentheses or dashes where they are needed. • 1. Dr. Percy Lavon Julian, who was born in Montgomery, Alabama, is noted for developing helpful drugs from this surprised me, too soybeans and yam roots. • 2. My cousin Matthew my father’s brother’s son plans to open an aerobics and yoga center on the north side of town. • 3. For the new course in government and society, students are required to analyze the nonfiction writings of Ayn Rand 1905 -1982 and to read her novel Anthem.