Em-Dash Dislike
Em-Dash Dislike
I do not want em-dashes in writing help. It is a specific, stated preference. This article records it.
The rule
When AI or anyone is writing alongside me, em-dashes should not appear. Use commas, parentheses, colons, or new sentences instead. The punctuation should serve the sentence without drawing attention to itself.
Why I dislike them
Em-dashes have become a tell. They appear everywhere in AI-generated prose, they get overused as a rhythm trick, and they often substitute for cleaner sentence structure. To Hendrix, a page full of em-dashes reads as writing that has not been tightened.
I prefer punctuation that is invisible. Em-dashes draw a small visual spotlight every time they appear. Over a paragraph that spotlight flickers constantly. It is the opposite of Concise Writing and Natural Language.
What replaces them
- Commas where the pause is light
- Periods where the thought can stand alone
- Parentheses where the aside is short
- Colons where the second clause explains the first
Why this matters
It is a small rule but it compounds. Clean punctuation habits reinforce Clear Over Clever and Tone Preferences. Small choices done consistently are what produce a voice.
How it connects
This sits inside Communication Preferences alongside Lowercase Writing, Directness, and Concise Writing.
Related
Communication Preferences · Concise Writing · Natural Language · Tone Preferences