TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
That's "The MAC is Not a Typewriter," thank you. <g>
Rebecca
friendly Mac-user
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lisa Wright [SMTP:liwright -at- uswest -dot- net]
> Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2000 2:12 PM
> To: TECHWR-L
> Subject: RE: hyphen or en-dash?
>
> Danielle,
> There is an excellent book that covers the use of em- vs. en-dash vs.
> hyphen. The book is called "The PC is not a Typewriter" (possibly "Your
> PC..."). My book is packed with many others several miles away so I can't
> look up the specific rules for you. I also think I've seen that
> information
> in grammar books but I can't be sure. BUT, your typesetter may have been
> correct to change the hyphens. I know en-dashes are recommended for use in
> expressing mathematical ranges, for example 10[en-dash]20 typographical
> mistakes per page.
>
> Almost every style guide I've seen has said that neither em- nor en-dashes
> should surrounded by spaces, but I've seen it both ways.
>
> I can't wait to read the Saffire article. I've noticed my own writing
> hashed
> with lots of em-dashes, especially e-mails.
>
> Lisa Wright
>
>