UWF Writing Lab

1. UWF Writing Lab

2. • The hyphen (-) is used to separate parts of a word. • The dash (–) is used to separate parts of a sentence. (Note: The dash can be represented by two hyphens.)

3.  I have told you everything I know-nothing has been omitted from my account.  Whatever may be your pleasure-seek no further, friends-you have come to the right place!  Boy, I love being single-parents, I feel for you-because I don’t think I’ll ever get married and have kids.  Please find a place to sit-down on the left there-and we can get started.

4.  I have told you everything I know— nothing has been omitted from my account.  Whatever may be your pleasure—seek no further, friends—you have come to the right place!  Boy, I love being single—parents, I feel for you—because I don’t think I’ll ever get married and have kids.  Please find a place to sit—down on the left there—and we can get started.

5.  To separate the parts of a compound adjective or noun • a well-written document • a thought-provoking story • out-of-state students • out-of-shape people • a five-year-old boy • (BUT: The boy is five • years old.) • secretary-treasurer • student-teacher ratio • work-study program • inner-city schools • jack-in-the-box • mother-in-law

6.  To set off certain prefixes well-being well-preserved self-conscious self-employed all-purpose ex-minister ex-husband anti-intellectual pro-American

7.  To add emphasis  Studies—published and unpublished—are included in the portfolio.  I promise I will make it to your birthday party—as long as you save me some cake!

8.  To digress from the main clause  All of my classes this semester—chemistry, English, calculus, psychology, and physics—are really pushing me to my limit.  The last contestant—two  hours late—finally made it to  the competition. (This sentence is an example of digression and emphasis.) 

9.  The dash can be represented by two hyphens (--). Microsoft Word will automatically turn two adjacent hyphens into a dash. Microsoft Word will also turn one hyphen into a dash if you enter the following keystrokes: SPACE, hyphen, SPACE. This dash (–) is a little shorter than the long dash, but it is still longer than the hyphen.

10.  NOTE THE USE OF THE HYPHEN AND THE DASH IN THE SNTENCE BELOW:  "To white evangelical women, Sarah Palin is a modern-day prophet, preaching God, flag, and family--while remaking the religious right in her own image" (Lisa Miller, June 21, 2010 Newsweek).