Em Dash Shortcut
I've found multiple sources that indicate I can still use a keyboard shortcut to insert the Em Dash (such as by holding down the Alt key and pressing 0151. The em dash shortcut for Mac is Comand+M. To type this symbol, just press and hold the Option key whilst you type the letter M on your Mac keyboard. Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
Typographers use different dashes for different purposes. The only difference between the dashes is their width. For instance, you get one type of dash when you press on the minus key—it is a dash that is very narrow. A longer dash is called an en dash, because it is the same width as a lowercase n. An en-dash is typically used to denote ranges of numbers. Wider still is the em-dash, which is just as wide as a lowercase m. The em-dash is typically used in sentences, as a dash between clauses.
To insert an en-dash in your document, hold down the Alt key and type 0150 on the numeric keypad; an em-dash is produced by holding down the Alt key and typing 0151. (Make sure you type the numbers on the numeric keypad. If you type them using any other numeric keys, it won't work.) You could also use the Special Characters tab of the Symbol dialog box to add the dashes.
You may be familiar with using em- and en-dashes from working with Word. They work the same way in Excel. The only caveat is that when you use special dashes (as opposed to a regular minus sign), Excel automatically treats the information in your cell as text.
And now, another punctuation term that you probably have never heard before: the em dash.
Truthfully, I was ignorant of the em dash until Joe first approached me about a punctuation post.
So I did what any educated American would do and went straight to Wikipedia. (Remember encyclopedias? Those were the days.)
Em Dash—Definition
Turns out the em dash (also known as an m dash, m-rule, the long dash, or, in the grammatical slang circles, “mutton,” and I am not making that up) is just that extended dash you see when there is a break in narration or conversation.
You know the one:
Andy scanned the budgets on his desk, noting that Margot’s handwriting—and most of her work, in fact—was less than satisfactory.
Or, in a dialogue:
“Carl, I honestly don’t know why you—” “Stop, Lauren. I will put hot sauce on my pasta instead of marinara if I want to.”
What Em Dashes (Long Dashes) Do for Your Writing
Em dashes are a fun way to let the reader inside the head of the characters and get to know their personalities.
From the first example above, we’ve not only learned something about Margot, but also how Andy perceives her and her work.
Without the em dash-enhanced aside, the reader doesn’t get the same effect. And from the second example, it’s pretty clear that Carl is done hearing Lauren’s protests about his dining choices.
Em Dash Keyboard Shortcut
On Microsoft Word (and most other word processing systems), when you put two dashes next to each other (–), they combine to form an em dash.
However, on most web editors—Wordpress, Twitter, or Facebook for example—those two hyphens don’t magically become em-dashes. Caravan shotgun - The Vault Fallout Wiki - Everything you ....
Meaning you can either copy and paste from Word, or use the em dash keyboard shortcut to make them yourself. Fortunately, the em dash keyboard shortcut is incredibly fast and easy. I use it all the time:
alt/option + shift + dash (-)
Just hit alt/option + shift + dash (-) at the same time and you’ll get a beautifully long em-dash. Try it now in the comments form below. Isn’t that great?
Em Dash Shortcut Key
Em Dash Copy & Paste
Em Dash Shortcut Word
Or, just because we want to be helpful, you could just copy and paste this one: —
Em Dash vs. En Dash vs. Hyphen
There are actually three different types of dashes, and it’s very easy to mix them up.
Not sure the difference between the three? Here’s a cheat sheet for the different types of dashes:
As you can see, the em dash is the longest of the three, and roughly the width of the letter m, which is how it got its name. (And yes, the en dash is named because it’s the width of the letter n.)
The em dash also acts as the longest stop or pause in a sentence compared to the other three dashes, which all serve to join parts of sentences rather than break up a sentence and stop the reader.
When To Avoid Em Dashes
Too much em dashing can stifle and break up a narrative flow at the expense of the story.
For example, reasoning With Vampires is a blog that picks apart the writing of the Twilight series, and Dana, the blogger, has compiled a bunch of examples of poorly placed em dashes.
As with dessert, wine, and Nikki Minaj concerts, moderation is the key.
More Punctation Resources
Em Dash Shortcut Google Docs
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How about you? Do you enjoy using Em Dashes in your writing? Let me know in the comments section.
PRACTICE
Write for fifteen minutes on the following writing prompt. Use em dashes to provide insight into the mind of the characters, or to show interruptions in dialogue.
I don't see a need to post a screenshot. I've gotten to Day 99 in-game and this glitch has happened a few times where the game just stops. Everything looks normal, in fact graphically everything looks beautiful in 720p. FPS drops from 60 to 0 with no warning. My life as a king wad.
Prompt: Ashley stared at Max, who was sitting in the middle of the disheveled living room.
When your time is up, post your practice in the comments section. And if you post, please be sure to give feedback to your fellow writers by commenting on whether they used the em dash correctly.