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error is not your own. This is indicated by the use of square brackets.
Dillard concludes her essay by saying that she "think[s] it would be well, and proper, and
obedient, and pure, to grasp your one necessity and not let it go, to dangle from it limp wherever it
take you."
The expressions within brackets should be kept as brief as possible, so as not to interrupt
the flow of the sentence.
The use of brackets should be kept to a minimum. If used too frequently, they create a
choppy, unsettling effect.
The dash is used to indicate a sudden change of thought, an additional comment, or a
dramatic qualification: I'd better have passed my test – it's ninety percent of my class grade – or I'll
have to go to summer school.
Dashes can also be used to insert a comment or a list of things: Everything – furniture,
paintings, and books – survived the fire.
An exclamation mark usually shows strong feeling, such as surprise, anger or joy. Using an
exclamation mark when writing is rather like shouting or raising your voice when speaking.
Exclamation marks are most commonly used in writing quoted speech. You should avoid using
exclamation marks in formal writing, unless absolutely necessary.
1. Use an exclamation mark to indicate strong feelings or a raised voice in speech:
She shouted at him, "Go away! I hate you!"
2. Many interjections need an exclamation mark:
"Hi! What's new?"
3. A non-question sentence beginning with "what" or "how" is often an exclamation and
requires an exclamation mark:
What idiots we are! (We are such idiots.)
4. In very informal writing (personal letter or email), people sometimes use two or more
exclamation marks together:
Remember, don't be late!!
Remember, try to avoid exclamation marks in formal writing such as an essay or business
letter.
The main function of a question mark is to indicate a question or query.
1. Use a question mark at the end of all direct questions:
What is your name?
2. Use a question mark after a tag question:
You're French, aren't you?
3. Don't forget to use a question mark at the end of a sentence that really is a direct question:
What if I said to you, "I don't love you any more"?
4. In very informal writing (personal letter or email), people sometimes use a question mark
to turn a statement into a question:
See you at 9pm?
In the same situation, they may use two or three question marks together to show that they
are not sure about something:
I think you said it would cost $10???
5. Do not use a question mark after an indirect or reported question:
The teacher asked them what their names were. (What are your names?)
6. Many polite requests or instructions are made in the form of a question. But because they
are not really questions, they do not take a question mark:
Could you please send me your catalogue.
Note that there should be no space immediately before a question mark.
A hyphen is a very short horizontal line between words.
Note that there is no space between a hyphen and the character on either side of it.
Do not confuse a hyphen with a dash, which is longer.
The rules about hyphens are not fixed. The points below are guidelines rather than rules.

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