Dash Notes

Dash- Informal mark of punctuation used for stylistic effects

Uses:

1.) Set off words introduced unexpectedly.
Ex: That looks like smoke coming from - help! Fire!

2) Abrupt breaking off of one thought into another, or a discovery of an unexpected thought or idea.
Ex: When you see Ann -here she comes- act as if nothing had happened.

3.) Use a dash to separate two identical or almost identical words.
Ex. I can do the job -the job of gangstering the Brady Bunch.
      Dole and Nixon -these men were his idols.

4.) Use a dash before a list  that explains in detail some word or phrase in the first part of the sentence.
Ex. Bring some romantic item -among other things roses, Champagne, and candles.

5.) Many authors use the dash as a method of a pause when a character is speaking.
Ex. "Oh, her got her the job, did he? -Well, I'm going to fix it so she won't need and job."

6.) James Joyce uses the dash instead of quotations.
Ex. --O, Mr. D'Arcy, cried Mary Jane, it's downright mean of you to break off like that when we were al in raptures listening to you.