The Em Dash: Elevating Sentence Structure

This lesson blends forensic grammar with real-world safety. Students begin by “patrolling” crime-themed sentences s to fix capital errors and comma splices before mastering the em dash—the ultimate tool for dramatic emphasis. The session culminates in a high-stakes writing challenge: a professional guide on phone theft. Using the “sandwich” and “reveal” dash techniques, students must write a punchy, eight-sentence paragraph that proves they can prioritize safety while showcasing elite punctuation skills. My students really enjoyed this sesson.