Happy Punctuation Day! (and giveaway)

Happy Punctuation Day, everybody!

In honor of this years National Punctuation Day, we've created a second Super-Grammar-style illustration in the guise of a comic book cover, and here it is:

As you can see, this year's Punctuation Day comic book cover features the Dash, and it also spills the super-beans on how to create a true em dash by typing in a secret code with your computer keyboard. Nope, we're not kidding; you need a secret code to create a dash!

It's true. If you give your computer keyboard the once-over, you'll quickly notice that there is no one key, or even two keys, available for the purpose of creating a proper dash (—). But have no fear, for where there's a super will to use proper punctuation, there is also a super way. And in this case, the way to make a proper dash is by using these secret codes:

• On a PC: Hold down the Alt key then type 0151
• On a Mac: Hold down the Shift key and the Option key then type the minus key (-).
• And in HTML coding: type —

It may seem like a lot of cloak-and-dagger activity for such a simple punctuation mark, but honestly, who doesn't love using super secret codes? (We certainly do.) But more to the point, even though you have to work for it—the dash is worth it!

We hope you enjoy our latest Punctuation Day comic book cover (here's the one from last year), and don't forget to celebrate this Punctuation Day by learning all about the other Super Symbols team members. Simply turn to the blue chapter of your Super Grammar book, or you can use the "LABELS" menu bar (on the right-hand side) to choose a Super Symbols character, or click here!

And... the celebrating isn't over yet. In honor of National Punctuation Day, we're having a giveaway!

Ten (10) lucky people will win a set of our four (11"x 17") Super Grammar Promo posters, including, of course, a Super Symbols poster which features all twelve punctuation team members.

Please use the rafflecopter below to enter the giveaway. (terms and conditions of the giveaway)

Good luck, everybody, and we hope you have a super Punctuation Day!

Sincerely,
The Super Grammar Team
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Dash

Usually, punctuation symbols are not meant to be overly flashy characters, but in the case of this eye-catching heroine—The Dash—flashy is good.

The Dash is more than just glitz and sparkle, though.  She plays a very pivotal and functional role in your sentences by standing in for her Super Symbols punctuation teammates: The Comma, The semicolon, The Colon, and The Parentheses.  The Dash only stands in for them whenever a sentence calls for the extra emphasis that only she can deliver.  

Technically, a dash, whenever used to emphasize a part of a sentence, is called an em dash because her symbol (—) is the length of a capital letter M (em).  This long length gives her symbol the super striking character it needs to set off a segment of a sentence with style—and power! 

So, the next time one of your sentences needs to be empowered with some extra flair—remember The Dash.

SUPER POWERS:

The Dash has the power to take the place of (more subtle) punctuation symbols, like: commas, semi-colons, colons, and parentheses.  She does this whenever a sentence calls for extra emphasis.  

USE THE EM DASH:

• In place of commas
• In place of semicolons
• In place of colons
• In place of parentheses

SUPER EXAMPLES:

#1)

Surrender your weapons—now!

The em dash: in place of a comma

#2)

His weakness—fire—is my strength.

The em dash: in place of commas

#3)

I will strike—you will fall.

The em dash: in place of semicolons

#4)

I only want what’s mine—money, power, and obedience.

The em dash: in place of colons

#5)

The aliens—no big surprise—had the technological advantage.

The em dash: in place of parentheses

WEAKNESS:

Although the Dash is a very appealing punctuation mark, she should be used sparingly so that she doesn’t become weak.  The more you use The Dash in a consecutive series of sentences, the weaker and less effective she becomes.

It can be very tempting to always use an em dash in your sentences, but remember, it’s the better part of valor if you don’t.