Wait for it…

Punctuating a Pause with

an ellipsis, Dash, and comma
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
HOW DO I
PUNCTUATE
A PAUSE?

Wait for it…

 CONTENT STANDARDS:

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.2 Demonstrate
command of the conventions of standard
English capitalization, punctuation, and
spelling when writing.
• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.2a Use punctuation
(comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or
break.
 WHICH PUNCTUATION MARK
SHOWS A PAUSE?

A. … the Ellipsis

B. — the Dash
C. , the Comma
 ALL OF THEM!
… the Ellipsis

— the Dash
, the Comma
The ellipsis, dash and comma all show a pause.
 … the Ellipsis
a mark indicating a longer pause or an intentional pause; an
ellipsis consists of three periods, with a space before and after if
it’s being used within a sentence. An ellipsis used at the end of a
sentence consists of four periods (three ellipsis points and one
period).

Example:

“When I was younger… how

old was I? about 10?... I
used to believe in Santa.”
WHAT DOES AN ELLIPSIS ADD TO THE TEXT?

An ellipsis can add suspense to a narrative or personality to

dialogue.

“When I was younger… how

old was I? about 10?... I
used to believe in Santa.”

In order to find out what the mark adds to

the text, compare the sentence as it is with
the mark to the sentence without the mark.
 — the Dash
More accurately known as the em-dash

• a mark used to show a sudden break in

thought.

Example:
“We don't know
where —or how —
the problem began.”
 WHAT DOES A DASH ADD TO THE TEXT?

A dash adds emphasis, clarification, or extra

sudden information.

“We don't know

where —or how —
the problem began.”
 , THE COMMA
a mark indicating a short, natural pause

Example:
“My best friend, Mercedes,
is a great seamstress.”
WHAT DOES A COMMA ADD TO THE TEXT?

A comma helps the reader understand what he is reading.

Commas alert the reader to a list, a conjunction, a dependent
clause, or other reason to pause.

“My best friend, Mercedes,

is a great seamstress.”
 TAKE A MINUTE.
DISCUSS THE DIFFERENCES:

… the Ellipsis- a mark indicating a pause or an omission

Example– “When I was younger… how old was I? about 10?... I used to believe in
Santa.”

— the Dash- a mark used to show a sudden break in thought

Example- “We don't know where—or how—the problem began.”

, the Comma- a mark indicating a short, natural pause

Example- “My best friend, Mercedes, is a great seamstress.”
 WHICH FITS BEST?

Millie began to think ________ maybe Dan

wasn’t who he said he was_________
Maybe Dan was in on the burglary_______
 Answer: the ellipsis

Millie began to think …

maybe Dan wasn’t who
he said he was … Maybe
Dan was in on the
burglary ….
 WHICH FITS BEST?

“Right before I went to

Cancun____________ I celebrated
my twentieth birthday.”
 ANSWER: THE COMMA

“Right before I went to

,
Cancun I celebrated my
twentieth birthday.”
 WHICH FITS BEST?

The onyx is a perfect

gem_________ solid, smooth, and
beautiful.
 ANSWER: THE DASH

The onyx is a perfect gem- solid,

smooth, and beautiful.
THE DASH VS. THE ELLIPSIS VS. THE COMMA

Say the following sentences aloud to your partner. How are they
different? Write a short explanation.

“Wait- I need help!”

“Wait… I need help!”
“Helen, I need your help.”
THE DASH VS. THE ELLIPSIS VS. THE COMMA

The length and significance of the pause:

“Wait- I need help!” The dash adds short pause and

clarification.
“Wait… I need help!” The ellipsis adds a long pause and
suspense.
“Helen, I need your help.” The comma adds a shorter pause)
direction to the reader to take a short pause.
 THESE ARE SIMILAR SENTENCES.
WHY IS THE PUNCTUATION DIFFERENT?
I am tired of washing your dishes, sweeping your floor, and
cooking your food.

I am tired of washing your dishes, sweeping your floor and…

being your servant.
 DIFFERENT PAUSES

A comma is used for pauses in a sentence. In this

sentence, a pause is needed after each item listed.
I am tired of washing your dishes, sweeping your floor, and
cooking your food.
An ellipsis is used for a dramatic pause. In this
sentence, a dramatic pause is needed as the
speaker searches for the right word.
I am tired of washing your dishes, sweeping your floor and…
being your servant.
 HOW DO I DETERMINE WHICH PUNCTUATION
MARK TO USE FOR A PAUSE?

Read the sentence (and all surrounding sentences)

to make sure you completely understand what the
author is trying to convey. Try reading the sentence
with each: an ellipsis, a dash and a comma. If there is
a need for a longer, intentional pause, use an ellipsis. If
there is a sudden break in thought, use a dash. If a
short pause is needed to help the reader
read the text, use a comma. Once you
know what the sentence means, you will
be able to pick the best mark.
 Jot Down the Best Answer
… , -
1. “It looks like a real of__________ oh no!”
2. “You have the right to remain_________look out!”
3. Please grab your lacrosse stick______your jersey and your
cleats_____ and meet me on the field in ten minutes.
4. He grabbed the ping pong paddle________swung it at
me________ and I ducked.
5. Ghosts gathered______ goblins arrived_____ witches
descended.
6. I hope to become the chairman_______earn a lot of
money_______and give back to my community.
7. Please help me_______ please get help_______ I didn’t
mean to cause this explosion.
8. Think back to the moment you found out that you were
royalty_______ In that moment_______ in that
moment_______ did you think it was a bad thing?
9. “I think I can step on this rock to get to ______ help!”
 DISCUSS THE ANSWERS:
1. “It looks like a real of- oh no!”
1. DASH
2. “You have the right to remain- look out!”
2. DASH 3. Please grab your lacrosse stick, your jersey and your
cleats, and meet me on the field in ten minutes.
3. COMMA 4. He grabbed the ping pong paddle, swung it at me, and I
ducked.
4. COMMA
5. Ghosts gathered… goblins arrived… witches descended.
5. ELLIPSIS 6. I hope to become the chairman, earn a lot of money, and
give back to my community.
6. COMMA 7. Please help me… please get help… I didn’t mean to
cause this explosion.
7. ELLIPSIS 8. Think back to the moment you found out that you were
royalty… In that moment… in that moment… did you
8. ELLIPSIS think it was a bad thing?
9. DASH 9. “I think I can step on this rock to get to – help!”