 |
||||
|
||||
|
|
||||
 |
Use a dash (made with an easy keystroke combination on your computer keyboard) to signal a break in thought. Do not separate the dash from the text with spaces.
EXAMPLE
The interpreter of ancient clay tablets failed to recognize that one sign—a small circular impression—did not always have the numeric value of 10.
This type of dash is also referred to as an "em" (or long) dash.
Dashes are also used to indicate a range, for example a range of dates or page numbers.
EXAMPLE
The interpreter of ancient clay tablets failed to recognize that one sign did not always have the numeric value of 10. Refer to the discussion of clay tablets on pages 231 – 236.
In such cases, use an "en" dash, which is shorter than the em dash but longer than a hyphen. A space is included on either side of the en dash.