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Using Parentheses
Using Parentheses to Insert Information
Parentheses allow writers to insert phrases or full sentences into the flow of a larger sentence or paragraph. Fogarty says that parenthetical elements tend to be asides. They are “things you don’t need to say, but want to say anyway. They can clarify, direct, or give a sense of the writer’s frame of mind” (123).
Dashes—specifically, em-dashes— and commas may also be used to insert ideas. One difference between dashes and parentheses is that dashes are used to emphasize insertions, while parentheses serve to minimize them. (See Chicago 6.97.) As grammarian Martha Kolln writes, parentheses “say ‘By the way,’ whereas the dash says, ‘Hey, listen to this!’” (290). Another difference between dashes and parentheses is that entire sentences may be presented as asides, while dashes are not used for separate sentences. Additionally, a single dash may be used to emphasize a phrase or clause, while parentheses must be used in pairs.
Rew says to use dashes for the strongest emphasis on inserted material, commas for equal emphasis, and parentheses for reduced importance (154). Rew provides these three examples to illustrate.
Writers who choose parentheses, then, should use them for asides. Dashes and commas provide emphasis. The differences among these punctuation choices are subtle, but noticeable.
Works Cited
The Chicago Manual of Style: The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers. 15th ed. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 2003.
Fogarty, Mignon. Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing. New York: Holt, 2008.
Kolln, Martha. Rhetorical Grammar: Grammatical Choices, Rhetorical Effects. 5th ed. New York: Pearson, 2007.
Rew, Lois Johnson. Editing for Writers. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1999.
Parentheses allow writers to insert phrases or full sentences into the flow of a larger sentence or paragraph. Fogarty says that parenthetical elements tend to be asides. They are “things you don’t need to say, but want to say anyway. They can clarify, direct, or give a sense of the writer’s frame of mind” (123).
Dashes—specifically, em-dashes— and commas may also be used to insert ideas. One difference between dashes and parentheses is that dashes are used to emphasize insertions, while parentheses serve to minimize them. (See Chicago 6.97.) As grammarian Martha Kolln writes, parentheses “say ‘By the way,’ whereas the dash says, ‘Hey, listen to this!’” (290). Another difference between dashes and parentheses is that entire sentences may be presented as asides, while dashes are not used for separate sentences. Additionally, a single dash may be used to emphasize a phrase or clause, while parentheses must be used in pairs.
Rew says to use dashes for the strongest emphasis on inserted material, commas for equal emphasis, and parentheses for reduced importance (154). Rew provides these three examples to illustrate.
Peripheral devices—monitors, printers, and keyboards—are controlled by the central processor.
The parallel port, located on the text monitor adapter card, enables the computer to be connected to the largest number of text and graphics printers.
The controller card (see Figure 3) interfaces with the processor over the B6 bus.
(Rew 154)
Writers who choose parentheses, then, should use them for asides. Dashes and commas provide emphasis. The differences among these punctuation choices are subtle, but noticeable.
Works Cited
The Chicago Manual of Style: The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers. 15th ed. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 2003.
Fogarty, Mignon. Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing. New York: Holt, 2008.
Kolln, Martha. Rhetorical Grammar: Grammatical Choices, Rhetorical Effects. 5th ed. New York: Pearson, 2007.
Rew, Lois Johnson. Editing for Writers. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1999.
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