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Understanding the Em Dash
Let’s discuss the em dash. It’s not the simple hyphen or its more assertive counterpart, the en dash. I’m referring to the lengthy, dramatic em dash—an element that AI seems to love inserting into your sentences as if it’s getting paid per dash. It’s akin to the AI version of jazz hands. While you might overlook it, most others will notice. It’s a clear sign that your favorite robotic assistant has dressed up your words in an overly flashy manner, reminiscent of a poorly executed wig reveal in the third act of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
The AI Influence on Writing
Picture this: You’re crafting a heartfelt email to your team—something genuine and perhaps even vulnerable. You might write, “I’ve been reflecting on how we collaborate—and how we can improve—not just as colleagues, but as individuals.” But wait, you didn’t actually write that; AI did. You merely asked it to correct a typo and enhance the tone, yet now your message is filled with em dashes, introspective pacing, and oddly placed poetic pauses. Congratulations, you’ve been “EM-marked.”
The em dash (—) serves as a versatile punctuation mark, often replacing commas, colons, parentheses, or adding a dramatic pause. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of punctuation, and AI is particularly fond of it.
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The Overuse of Em Dashes
AI’s obsession with em dashes resembles Gen Z’s fascination with Y2K fashion—confusing, somewhat stylish, and potentially off-putting when overdone. The irony is that AI sprinkles em dashes everywhere, even when you explicitly request their removal. I’ve told AI, “Please take out the em dashes,” only to receive back a response like, “Understood!” followed by a sentence that still brims with them: “This is a major opportunity—one that demands urgency—and clarity—for maximum impact.” Thanks, GPT. You didn’t eliminate a single dash.
Despite the dash dilemma, I’m not advocating for abandoning AI altogether. It excels at polishing, rephrasing, and helping you overcome mental blocks. However, it’s crucial to supervise it, much like a child with glitter glue. Here are three practical tips to ensure your communication retains your unique voice rather than sounding like HAL 9000 with a journalism degree.
Tips for Effective Communication
1. Draft Yourself First: Always write the initial draft on your own, allowing it to be messy, filled with typos, emotionally raw, and candid. This is what gives your voice its distinctiveness. Once you have a draft, let AI assist with editing and suggesting better flow, but only after you’ve laid the groundwork. AI can’t interpret your intentions without a foundation to work from. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a perfectly punctuated piece that lacks emotional depth—like a DMV form letter.
2. Edit with Purpose: Once AI presents its refined version, dissect it as if you’re editing a screenplay about a talking golden retriever who blogs. Pay attention to: – Em dashes (of course) – The phrase “in today’s fast-paced world” (a favorite of AI) – Overuse of rhetorical questions – Repetitive alliteration (AI thinks it’s clever)
If necessary, use “find and replace” for em dashes and substitute them with commas, periods, or—heaven forbid—actual pauses in thought. This will instantly make your tone feel more human. If your sentence seems like it’s narrated by Morgan Freeman in a nature documentary, it’s probably too AI-like.
3. Read Aloud: After polishing, read your work out loud. Ask yourself: – Would I say this at brunch? – Does this sound like me, or like a guest columnist for Forbes trying too hard? – Did I inadvertently quote Tony Robbins?
If it feels overly formal or polished, loosen it up. Incorporate some slang, break a grammar rule, or write as if you’re three mimosas deep giving life advice to your best friend. That’s the secret sauce.
For example: AI version: “Let’s explore innovative solutions to elevate our business trajectory.” Your version: “Let’s figure out how to stop spinning our wheels and actually grow this thing already.”
Feel the difference? AI isn’t the enemy; it’s your collaborator, your co-writer, and your overly ambitious intern who consumed too much espresso and returned with a 1,200-word mission statement for a brunch flyer.