1. BRACKETS AND DASHES () <> -- { } [ ]-

2. THE DASH – A dash (-) can function like a colon to introduce:
A quotation
John McEnroe’s famous phrase – “You cannot be serious”.
A list
Murray has beaten some of the world’s best – Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.

3. The Dash – An explanation I can’t do passing shots– my forehand
is not good enough.
An elaboration
Federer is one of the best players ever – he has a perfect spin on his backhand and forehand and a powerful serve.
A summing up
Rackets, balls, sneakers, caps and shorts – all tennis equipment.

4. - THE DASH can be used to: replace other punctuation marks
colons, semi-colons, commas or brackets. -

5. THE DASH is especially used in informal or conversational writing.
It was a great match– everyone enjoyed it.

6. Brackets mark off ‘parentheses’ which means:
The practice in written or printed language of placing certain statements between a pair of such punctuation marks as commas, dashes, and brackets, to show that they are asides or interruptions in the normal flow of text.

7. () ,, <> [] {} -- Brackets can be:
Commas: Murray, although lanky, is physically very strong.
Dashes: Venus Williams – although physically big and strong – is very graceful on court.

8. () ,, <> [] {} -- Brackets can be:
Well... brackets: Djokovic hits the ball harder (than Murray, anyway) and he should win the match.

9. Finally, brackets can even go around other brackets:
Today I am going to go to Wimbledon – (it is so cold outside, I must be mad) – mainly because the tickets cost me a packet.

10. Copy the following in to your jotters:

11. A dash (-) can function like a colon to introduce a quotation or a list, an explanation, elaboration, or a summing up.
Two dashes can mark off a parenthesis.
A dash can be used to replace other punctuation marks (colons, semi-colons, commas) or brackets.
Dashes are especially used in informal writing to mark off conversational or colloquial asides.

12. A parenthesis is a word or phrase inserted into a sentence to explain or elaborate. It may be placed in brackets or between dashes or commas.
Brackets: Djokovic hits the ball harder (than Murray, anyway) and he should win the match.
Dashes: Venus Williams – although physically big and strong – is very graceful on court.
Commas: Murray, although lanky, is physically very strong.

13. Are you delighted with dashes and barmy for brackets?
Good luck!