Stylistic Punctuation: Ellipses and Em Dashes
Stylistic punctuation is a powerful tool for creating voice in writing. However, this effect quickly dwindles if writers don't use punctuation marks correctly, particularly when it comes to ellipses and em dashes. Some people misuse these marks, while others tend to overuse one and avoid the other. In reality, using both ellipses and em dashes as intended would be far more effective. So, let's jump in!
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All About Em Dashes
Admittedly, I use the em dash a little too much. In a previous post, I even called myself "the em dash champion of the world." Nevertheless, em dashes do serve specific purposes, and they aren't always the best choice. So, what can they do? You're about to find out.
Convey Interruptions
Em dashes are perfect for showing interruptions in dialogue. Amateur writers often use ellipses for this purpose, but this is incorrect. Em dashes simply work better because their tone is more abrupt, as interruptions should be. For example, a scene could play out like this: Looking pointedly at the map, Teresa said, "Well, maybe if we—"
"That'll never work," Luna interrupted.
It's a simple application, but it's one that many people don't understand. As a general rule of thumb, when a character is being interrupted mid-sentence, it's best to use an em dash.
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An Alternative to Parentheses
Em dashes can also function as an alternative to parentheses because they allow parentheticals to be more abrupt. Parentheses create more of a hushed whisper (like this), and they feel shy and closed off. Meanwhile, em dashes are a lot stronger, and they can emphasize points more precisely—like this. For example, a company could write this:
As we seek the achievement of our company's goal—to provide excellent customer service— employees are reminded to always greet customers with a smile."
Although parentheses could have worked instead of em dashes, it's clear that the dashes are more confident, and they help the point to stand out.
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A Stylistic Choice
Sometimes, the decision to use an em dash is a matter of style. Sometimes, they just work better. For instance, I'll often use them in dialogue to create a cadence or convey hesitation. Other times, I use them to create a necessary pause within a sentence. Here's an example from the prologue of my novel:
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I'm considering removing one of these em dashes, as it's kind of overkill to use two so close together, but they still both work well within their sentences.
What About Ellipses?
Em dashes are a truly fantastic tool, but ellipses are equally valuable. The key is to remember that these two punctuation marks serve different purposes and shouldn't be used interchangeably. Below are some instances where an ellipsis is the better option.
Creating Suspense
One thing em dashes can't do is convey suspense, but ellipses can. They create a brief pause for the reader, causing them to worry about what's going to happen next. Don't believe me? Consider this example:
Emily opened the door, and she saw … a bear!
The ellipsis creates a drum roll of sorts that builds anticipation in the reader. Wouldn't that sentence be so much less effective without it?
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Trailing Off
Ellipses serve a unique purpose at the end of a piece of dialogue. They show a character trailing off or losing their train of thought. This is why they can't show interruptions. Furthermore, ellipses can be used to imply something left unsaid. Here's an example:
My friends say I shouldn't get back together with my ex, but…
The dot-dot-dot is all readers need to know what this person is implying.
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Shortening Quotations
Ellipses are also a tool to shorten quotations, which is the function most style guides focus on. When a quote is very long and wordy, an ellipsis is the perfect choice to condense it. However, this must be done ethically. Below is an example, with the initial quote labeled A and the shortened quote labeled B.
A. "It was reminiscent of some of the worst pain I'd ever felt. I remember when I was four, and I tripped and sprained my ankle. That pain was nothing compared to this."
B. "It was reminiscent of some of the worst pain I'd ever felt. I remember when I … sprained my ankle. That pain was nothing compared to this."
Are you seeing how this works? The unimportant information was removed, but the quote still means essentially the same thing.
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Hinting of More To Come
Finally, an ellipsis can hint at more to come. This is most commonly seen in the phrase "To be continued..."
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When Not To Use These Tools
It's important to remember that there is a proper time and place to use these handy little punctuation marks. In the workplace, for example, their stylistic usages should typically be avoided. No one enjoys emails that read like this:
I read your last email... I'm not sure of the answer to your question...Maybe ask a manager...I don't know...
This type of email comes off as very passive and unprofessional, not to mention just plain annoying.
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Em dashes face a similar issue. In the workplace, they should be used very sparingly. They're okay for emphasizing an important point, but overusing them can make you seem uneducated.
In Conclusion
Em dashes and ellipses are both great! They accomplish very specific tasks that no other punctuation mark can. So, writers shouldn't avoid them entirely. They should use them when necessary, and their writing will be better for it. On the other hand, when these marks are overused, they become pesky annoyances that make editors and readers very frustrated.
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