English Language Arts
Grade 6
15 min
Use dashes
Use dashes
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the primary functions of an em dash in a sentence.
Differentiate between an em dash and a hyphen.
Use em dashes to set off parenthetical information for emphasis.
Employ em dashes to indicate a sudden break in thought or speech.
Apply em dashes to introduce a list or explanation that follows an independent clause.
Revise sentences to correctly incorporate em dashes for improved clarity and impact.
Explain how dashes can enhance the author's purpose in argumentative writing.
Ever wonder how writers add a dramatic pause or an exciting extra detail to their sentences? 🤔 Get ready to unlock the power of the dash!
In this lesson, you'll learn how to use dashes to make your writing more clear, impactful, and engaging. Mastering dashes wil...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Em DashA long dash (—) used to indicate a pause, emphasize a point, or set off information that adds extra detail or explanation.My favorite subject—science—is taught by Mrs. Davis.
HyphenA short dash (-) used to join words (like 'well-known') or parts of words (like 're-elect'), not to set off phrases.He is a well-behaved student.
Parenthetical InformationExtra information that clarifies or adds detail to a sentence but isn't essential for the sentence's basic meaning. It can be set off by commas, parentheses, or dashes.The dog, a golden retriever, loved to play fetch.
Sudden BreakAn abrupt change in thought, an interruption, or a dramatic pause within a sentence.I was about to tell her the secret—then I remembered my promise.
EmphasisS...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Rule 1: Setting Off Parenthetical Information
Use a pair of em dashes to set off information that adds extra detail or explanation, especially when you want to emphasize it more than commas or parentheses would.
This rule helps you highlight important side notes or explanations within a sentence, making them stand out to the reader. Think of it as putting a spotlight on that extra detail.
Rule 2: Indicating a Sudden Break
Use a single em dash to show an abrupt change in thought, an interruption, or a dramatic pause in a sentence.
This rule is useful for creating suspense, showing a character's sudden realization, or mimicking natural speech patterns where someone might interrupt themselves or pause dramatically.
Rule 3: Introducing a List or Explanation
Use a sing...
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Challenging
Read this argument: 'Year-round school is a bad idea. It would disrupt family vacations. It would also cause student burnout. A study showed that continuous schooling leads to higher stress.' Which revision uses dashes to most powerfully highlight the key evidence?
A.Year-round school—a bad idea—would disrupt family vacations and cause burnout.
B.Year-round school could lead to higher stress—a recent study confirmed this—and disrupt family life.
C.Year-round school would cause student burnout and disrupt vacations—which are important.
D.Year-round school is a bad idea because of student burnout—a condition confirmed by studies to increase stress.
Challenging
An author wants to revise the following sentence to create a tone of sudden, dawning horror: 'I slowly realized that the door was locked and I had left the only key inside the room.' Which revision best achieves this effect using a dash?
A.I slowly realized the door was locked—and the only key was inside.
B.I slowly realized that the door was locked (and I had left the only key inside the room).
C.The door was locked, and I slowly realized the only key was inside the room.
D.I slowly realized—the door was locked, the key was inside—that I was trapped.
Challenging
A fellow student says, 'To make my argumentative essay stronger, I'm going to replace all my commas with dashes for maximum impact.' Based on the tutorial, why is this a flawed strategy?
A.It is a good strategy because dashes are always better than commas.
B.It is flawed because dashes and commas have the exact same function.
C.It is flawed because the tutorial warns against overusing dashes, which diminishes their impact and can make writing confusing.
D.It is flawed because dashes can only be used at the very end of a sentence.
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