Punctuation

Dash - Appositives:

Note the difference between a dash — (M dash) and a hyphen - (N Dash).

A dash may be used to set off a long appositive phrase, especially if it contains commas:

                         The exhausted woman—makeup smeared,  
                         curlers drooping from her hair, and 
                         wearing a robe and slippers—opened the  
                         door to find her boyfriend standing in the 
                         hallway.

Dash - Change in Sentence:

Use a dash to denote an abrupt change or break in a sentence: 

                         The beach was covered with girls in 
                         swimsuits—I mean hundreds of girls—all 
                         of whom were enjoying the warm summer
                         sun.

If the break occurs at the end of the sentence, no period is needed after the dash:

                         "If you don't get back to work, I'll—" He
                         did not complete the thought.


Dash - Emphasis or Reiteration:

Use a dash to emphasize or reiterate a point, normally at the end of a sentence:

                         Most modern Hollywood films are poorly 
                         plotted—and far too violent.
                                                      
                         The Industrial Revolution will seem to be a
                         mere footnote on the pages of history as  
                         the electronic age permeates our lives— 
                         indeed, every facet of our lives.

Dash - Explanation:
                                                      
Use dashes to set off an essential explanation that interupts the sentence:

                         So distracted by the noise from a
                         neighboring house—a group of teenagers 
                         were playing loud music—he abandoned his
                         efforts to finish his homework. 

Dash - Series:
                                                      
A dash can be used to set off items in a series that precede the main clause:

                         Books, sleeping bags, mosquito netting, 
                         food—these are some of the things you 
                         will need at summer camp.

Replace the word "to" or "through" with a dash in referring to dates, pages, series, etc.:

                         1978—1989      

                         Pages 14—47

                         A—Z,  1—100

Ellipsis - Omission:

Use the ellipsis, three consecutive periods separated by spaces(. . . ), to mark the location of an omitted word or phrase. The ellipsis is used in quoted matter to eliminate words that are not central to the point being made:

                         "The true test of civilization is. . . the kind of man that 
                         the country turns out."
                                         (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
                                                                                      
If words are eliminated at the end of a sentence, use four consecutive periods separated by spaces (. . . .):

                         "Absolute governments (though the disgrace of
                         human nature) have this advantage with them, 
                         they are simple. . . ."  
                                         (Thomas Paine, from "Common Sense")

If a paragraph or more is omitted, place a line of spaced periods (long ellipsis) between the blocks of text remaining — usually 5 periods. 

Do not, however, attempt to allow the ellipsis to make your point for you.

Ellipsis — Pause

The ellipsis may be used to create a long pause for thought.

                         Education is a social process. . . Education is growth. . .       
                         Education is, not a preparation for life; education is 
												 life itself.    
                                         (John Dewey)

This is especially useful in dialogue.

			                   The witness answered, "They sped away in a. . . Chevy. . . 
												 yes, it was a Chevy."


Exclamation Point - Command:

        NOTE: In all cases, use the exclamation point sparingly to avoid 
                  neutralizing its impact!!

Use the exclamation point at the end of a command:

                         Get out!
                                          
                         Abandon ship!

Exclamation Point - Dissent:

Use the exclamation point to denote strong dissent:

                         I quite disagree!

                         He certainly did not!

Eaclamation Point - Emphasis:

Use the exclamation point to denote an emphatic word or sentence:

                         So! You've done it again!

                         I can't believe you could be so stupid!

                         You're never going to learn!             

Exclamation Point - Sarcasm or Irony:
                        
An exclamation point may be placed between parentheses to denote sarcasm or irony:

                         The film illustrated such exciting (!)  
                         subjects as cross–pollination and pruning.

Exclamation Point - Surprise:

Use the exclamation point to denote surprise:

                         My God! Helen! It's really you!
 
                         What in the world is that! 
               
        NOTE:  In the second example, the exclamation point is still the
                   appropriate punctuation mark, even after an apparent
                   question, since the expression is emphatic.

        NOTE: In all cases, use the exclamation point sparingly to avoid 
                  neutralizing its impact!!