ADV 225 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Dash, A.D. Vision, Ap Stylebook
ADV 225: Lecture 5
●Writing tool #8: the ‘em’ dash
○Em dashes
○Em dash can be used to replace other punctuation marks to set off or
emphasize parts of a sentence
■Commas
■Parentheses
○When you use em dashes
■In datelines and with -more- at the bottom of traditional releases
■To signal that words set off from the rest of the sentence are not
essential- but still important
■To emphasize part of a sentence
■To insert important information into a sentence without disrupting the
flow
○Why to use em dashes
■Emphasis
■Create white space
■Enhance readability
■Efficiency
■Polished presentation
■You need them in news releases
○For emphasis
■To summarize
■To clarify
■To contrast
■For effect or emphasis
○In place of commas or parentheses
○To interject an aside without disrupting flow
○How to use
■Put a space on either side
■This allows word processor to break on either side of the em dash
○Must be balanced
■Em dash on BOTH sides of interserted material
○Do not mix punctuation
■Use em dashes with em dashes and commas with commas
●Media relations
○Media relations
■Building and maintaining relationships with journalists
○Journalist: anyone who gathers and reports news to a defined audience
■News paper reporter
■Broadcast reporter
■Blogger
■‘Citizen journalists’
Document Summary
Em dash can be used to replace other punctuation marks to set off or emphasize parts of a sentence. In datelines and with -more- at the bottom of traditional releases. To signal that words set off from the rest of the sentence are not essential- but still important. To insert important information into a sentence without disrupting the flow. To interject an aside without disrupting flow. This allows word processor to break on either side of the em dash. Em dash on both sides of interserted material. Use em dashes with em dashes and commas with commas. Journalist: anyone who gathers and reports news to a defined audience. Relationships help ensure fair, balanced and timely coverage. Effective media relations depends on effective written communication. Effective media relations depends on exchanging consistent/constant information. The more information you provide, the greater the opportunity for quality and fair coverage. Two ways to be involved in news coverage.
