A dash is an indication of interruption formed by typing two hyphens on your keyboard.
Whether it is a long “em-dash”—or a shorter “en-dash” – is determined by whether you leave a space between the words and the hyphens. If you are using Microsoft Word, the computer should automatically change the hyphens into the dash.
A hint: if you put a dash at the end of a sentence followed by quote marks, the computer does not change the hyphens into the dash, so you can “trick” it by typing a letter after the hyphens and hitting the space bar. Then you backspace and delete that extra letter.
Some writers these days try to use dashes to indicate pauses, instead of using the ellipsis (three dots…) There are two major reasons to use a dash.
1. Dashes should be used when someone’s dialogue is interrupted, such as:
“I told you I was going to—”
John waved his hand to stop me. “You always say that, but you never do it.”
(The ellipsis would be used if the speaker was trailing off: “I always thought I would be…” Jane’s shoulders slumped. John watched her, a lump forming in his throat.)
2. Dashes are also used parenthetically, to set aside a phrase. The woman refused to let us take her picture. She said the black box—the camera—would steal her soul. Or: That Corvette—the red one with the flames painted on the hood—was the one where she’d had her first kiss.
As with a strong spice, used dashes in moderation. Too many can make your writing jumpy or breathy.
Does anyone use dashes in other cases?
A native Montanan, Heidi M. Thomas now lives in Northwest Washington. Her first novel, Cowgirl Dreams, is based on her grandmother, and the sequel, Follow the Dream, has recently been released. Heidi has a degree in journalism, a certificate in fiction writing, and is a member of Northwest Independent Editors Guild. She teaches writing and edits, blogs, and is working on the next books in her “Dare to Dream” series.