Dash Detour

Here, students practice using em dashes to show a change in direction or thought within a sentence. Each original sentence is straightforward, and the student must rewrite it to include an interrupting or contrasting idea. The activity demonstrates how em dashes signal shifts in tone or add extra commentary. It encourages creative thinking while reinforcing punctuation conventions.

Practicing sentence redirection helps students develop awareness of how authors inject voice and spontaneity into writing. This exercise improves critical reading by helping students detect nuances in character dialogue and narration. It also builds editing skills, as students learn to restructure sentences effectively. Recognizing such patterns in literature can deepen comprehension and appreciation.