How to use the em dash for a variety of creative effects

The em dash is a punctuation mark that is used to indicate a break in thought or to set off a parenthetical remark. It is named for its width, which is equal to the width of the letter m or M.

The origins of the em dash

The em dash has its origins in the days when text was set in type by hand. Each letter and punctuation mark was cast on a separate piece of lead type. The em dash was made by casting a line of type the width of an m.

The em dash was first used in English in the 16th century. It was used to indicate a break in thought or to set off a parenthetical remark. The em dash was also used to indicate a range of numbers. For example, “1750-1800” would be written as “1750–1800”.

The em dash continued to be used in English throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. It became a standard punctuation mark in the 19th century. The em dash is still used in English today. It is a versatile punctuation mark that can be used to add emphasis, clarity, and variety to writing.

Everyday use of the em dash

Here are some examples of how the em dash can be used:

• “I went to the shop – but they were closed.”
• “This book was a great read – I highly recommend it.”
• “The 19th century – a time of great change and upheaval.”

The em dash is a versatile punctuation mark that can be used to add emphasis, clarity, and variety to writing. It is a valuable tool for writers who want to communicate their ideas effectively.

Em dashes are also used in creative writing to create a sense of urgency or excitement. They can also be used to add emphasis or to set off a parenthetical remark. Here are a few examples of em dash use in literature:

“The wind howled through the trees — a sound that sent shivers down my spine.” 

This example shows how an em dash can be used to create a sense of urgency. Another way to do this and control the pace of your writing is to keep an eye on your adverb use.

“He was the most handsome man I had ever seen — tall, dark, and mysterious.” 

This example shows how an em dash can be used to add emphasis. It’s also a nice alternative to the colon preceding a list of adjectives and is arguably more readable. 

“I was about to say something — but then I changed my mind.” 

This example shows how an em dash can be used to set off a parenthetical remark. A parenthetical remark is a comment or detail or explanation that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. It provides further clarification. 

Creative use of the em dash

What could easily be mistaken for a lazy punctuation mark is a surprisingly creative tool. For example, Emily Dickinson is known for her use of the em dash in her vast collection of poems. 

Emily Dickinson was a master of punctuation, and she used the em dash in her poems for a variety of reasons.

To create a sense of urgency or excitement.

As mentioned before, the em dash can be used to create a sense of urgency or excitement by interrupting the flow of the poem. 
For example, in the poem “I felt a Funeral, in my Brain”:

I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,

And Mourners to and fro

Went treading — treading — till it seemed

That Sense was breaking through —

Paired with the repetition of ‘treading’, it cleverly creates a sense of dread.

To add emphasis.

The em dash can also be used to add emphasis to a particular word or phrase. 
For example, in the poem “Because I could not stop for Death,” Dickinson uses an em dash to emphasise the word “stop”:

Because I could not stop for Death —

He kindly stopped for me —

The Carriage held but just Ourselves —

And Immortality.

The use of the em dash here creates a physical stop in the poem. 

To set off a parenthetical remark.

As we outlined, the em dash can also be used to set off a parenthetical remark. 
For example, in the poem “I’m Nobody! Who are you?”:

I’m Nobody! Who are you?
Are you — Nobody — too?
Then there’s a pair of us!
Don’t tell! they’d advertise — you know!

The use of em dashes when addressing the reader creates a sense of breathlessness in the speaker.

Emily Dickinson’s innovative use of the em dash shows us that this disarmingly simple tool can add a huge variety of effects to your writing. 

In the context of everyday content writing, such as blog posts and copywriting, it’s best to use an em dash judiciously. Overuse of the em dash, unless for a creative effect, could come across as disjointed to the reader. But, experimenting with this punctuation mark could spark creativity in unexpected ways. Give it a try!