Thank you for this lovely opinion piece! I have encountered all too many people who think the mere humble and glorious semicolon is too much. I will begin sending them compound-dashes now when given the chance.
I enjoy how forthright your opinions are, and suppose more variable punctuation makes a text seem richer on the page. I'm less persuaded that the examples given couldn't read just as well with a dash, colon, semi-colon or even a full stop.
This is the piece I didn't know I needed. I've noticed how much Austen's use of the compound-dash is part of her genius! I'm planning to spend next year reading nothing but Austen and Woolf to study their punctuation style.
Well reasoned, but I’m not convinced that circumstances could ever require a colon dash over a dash--let the natural flavor of the words and their syntax prevail over the exoticism of such an anachronistic spice : )
Ah Melville is the master here I think! If added punctuation can add rhythm or subtle meaning, I’m all for it. Lovely details to consider here especially in regards to the colon.
Thank you for this lovely opinion piece! I have encountered all too many people who think the mere humble and glorious semicolon is too much. I will begin sending them compound-dashes now when given the chance.
Yes I am anti anti-semi-colon people like I am anti anti-vaxxers
I enjoy how forthright your opinions are, and suppose more variable punctuation makes a text seem richer on the page. I'm less persuaded that the examples given couldn't read just as well with a dash, colon, semi-colon or even a full stop.
You must be mad to think the Melville one wouldn’t lose something! Forthright opinions a plenty here. Thanks for reading
This is the piece I didn't know I needed. I've noticed how much Austen's use of the compound-dash is part of her genius! I'm planning to spend next year reading nothing but Austen and Woolf to study their punctuation style.
Nice!
Well reasoned, but I’m not convinced that circumstances could ever require a colon dash over a dash--let the natural flavor of the words and their syntax prevail over the exoticism of such an anachronistic spice : )
I’ve been radicalised and I won’t be going back
Ah Melville is the master here I think! If added punctuation can add rhythm or subtle meaning, I’m all for it. Lovely details to consider here especially in regards to the colon.
Makes me want to reread him just for the punctuation. Do start using them … let’s make a movement
I’m in! And any excuse to re-read Melville.