Comma Queen: Mad Dash, The Sequel

Synopsis

Mary Norris discusses punctuation in writing, focusing on the use of dashes. She highlights how The New Yorker does not use spaces around dashes, contrasting this with the style of Emily Dickinson, who creatively employs dashes to convey multiple meanings. Norris also explains the concept of the double dash, which is primarily found in Victorian literature, particularly in the works of Charles Dickens. She notes that Dickens used punctuation similarly to modern emoticons, where one dash indicates an interruption and the second suggests impending violence. Additionally, Norris addresses a question about using dashes in place of parentheses, emphasizing the importance of maintaining clarity in writing.