{"id":293,"date":"2016-04-18T14:33:42","date_gmt":"2016-04-18T14:33:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pages.charlotte.edu\/unccwrc\/?p=293"},"modified":"2016-04-20T14:46:05","modified_gmt":"2016-04-20T14:46:05","slug":"punctuation-em-dashes-vs-colons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pages.charlotte.edu\/unccwrc\/blog\/2016\/04\/18\/punctuation-em-dashes-vs-colons\/","title":{"rendered":"Punctuation: Em Dashes vs. Colons"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever wondered when to use an em dash or a colon within a sentence? What\u2019s the difference, if any? Well, it really depends on how you want to present your information. Have no fear\u2014I\u2019m going to show you when it\u2019s appropriate to use each of these pesky forms of punctuation so you can feel more confident when writing.<\/span><\/p>\n

 
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

Colons<\/h1>\n

There are three ways to use a colon within a sentence: 1) in-sentence lists, 2) bulleted lists, and 3) pointing.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In-Sentence Lists<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

Ha! I just showed you an example of setting up an in-sentence list with a colon, but here\u2019s another one so that you can see it more clearly:<\/span><\/p>\n

Before I can go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, I have to: 1) save up enough money for a ticket, 2) request specific days off at work, and 3) buy a suitcase.<\/b><\/p>\n

You might be thinking: \u201cCan\u2019t you just list those items normally with commas?\u201d Yes, reader; you can. However, setting up an in-sentence list like this creates emphasis on the list itself. You can use a colon before an in-sentence list when the list is the most important part of your sentence. Also, the numbers before each item are optional, but I would recommend them if each item in your list is longer than five words (or if any of the items in your list contain any of the FANBOYS conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so). <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/h4>\n

Bulleted Lists<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

In-sentence lists are used more in formal writing. If you\u2019re wanting to put lists into informal writing, you can use a bulleted list, like this one:<\/span><\/p>\n

Marvel Studios, which famously adapts popular Marvel comics into film, has announced the production of the following films that are set to be released within <\/b>the next four years:<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n