Mastering Punctuation: Dashes, Parentheses, Quotation Marks, Brackets, and Italics
Chapter 17 – Level II (p.325): The Dash
Uses of the Dash
The dash (—) is a versatile punctuation mark used for emphasis and clarity. Here’s a breakdown of its uses:
1. Setting Off Parenthetical Expressions and Appositives
Dashes can emphasize parenthetical information that might otherwise be set off with commas. They create a stronger break than commas and are particularly useful when the parenthetical information contains internal commas.
Example: Sources of raw material — farming, mining, fishing, and forestry — are all dependent on energy.
2. Indicating an Interruption or an Afterthought
Dashes effectively highlight interruptions or afterthoughts within a sentence.
Example: The shipment will arrive — I promise — by Tuesday.
3. Setting Off a Summarizing Statement
A dash can introduce a summarizing statement after a list or series.
Example: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — these are the elements of the American dream.
4. Attributing a Quotation
Use a dash to separate a quotation from its source.
Example: “A man has no worse enemy than himself.” — Cicero
Level II (p.325): Parentheses
Uses of Parentheses
Parentheses are primarily used to enclose non-essential information or elements within a sentence.
1. Setting Off Non-Essential Sentence Elements
Parentheses de-emphasize the enclosed information, often providing additional details or explanations.
Example: The bank’s current business hours (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) will be extended soon (to 6 p.m.).
2. Showing Numerals and Enclosing Enumerated Items
Parentheses are commonly used in legal documents and contracts to enclose numerals alongside written numbers.
Example: The contract states the last payment is due in sixty (60) days.
They can also enclose numbers or letters in lists within sentences.
Example: To pay your bill online, (1) log onto the bank’s website, (2) click the pay bill link, (3) select the bill you want to pay…
Level III: Quotation Marks
Uses of Quotation Marks
Quotation marks (“) serve several important functions in writing.
1. Enclosing Direct Quotations
Use quotation marks to enclose direct, word-for-word quotations.
Example: Grandpa said, “I have lost my glasses.”
2. Enclosing Quotations Within Quotations
Use single quotation marks (‘ ‘) for a quotation within another quotation.
Example: My sister said, “I heard our parents say, ‘We need a vacation.'”
3. Featuring Short Expressions or Formal Definitions
Quotation marks can highlight slang, jargon, or special terms.
Example: The gaming slang for robots is “bots.”
4. Enclosing Titles of Short Works
Use quotation marks for titles of magazine or newspaper articles, book chapters, essays, poems, lectures, TV show episodes, or songs.
Example: I read the article “Cross-Training of Key Personnel” in Newsweek.
Square Brackets
Uses of Square Brackets
Square brackets ([ ]) have specific uses related to quotations and clarifications.
1. Inserting Words into Quotations
Use square brackets to insert your own words into a quotation for clarity or context.
Example: “It [the play] was a great success,” the reviewer explained.
2. Providing Clarifications or Explanations
Square brackets can clarify or explain words within a quotation.
Example: “One kilogram [2.2 pounds] is the standard size of a package of sugar,” according to the survey.
3. Indicating Errors in Original Quotations
Use [sic] to indicate an error in the original quotation.
Example: “The program is very cost-affective [sic], and we are looking for ways to spend money,” said one reader.
Italics (or Underscore)
Uses of Italics
Italics are used for various purposes, including:
1. Titles of Long Works
Italicize titles of books, websites, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, plays, movies, and TV series.
2. Featuring Words Under Discussion
Italicize words used as nouns when discussing the words themselves.
Example: The words calendar and separate are often misspelled.