Dash and Parenthesis

These punctuation marks are used when a sentence is ‘interrupted’ to state a fact, share an opinion and or to give an explanation. Since they are used for the same purposes, deciding which of the two to use is usually left to the preference of the writer.

– The Miss Jamaica World winner is beautiful – she is the most beautiful winner I have ever seen. Or, The Miss Jamaica World winner is beautiful (she is the most beautiful winner I have ever seen).

– Yao Ming was in the room – the tallest man in the NBA at 7ft 6 – talking to his teammates. Or, Yao Ming was in the room (the tallest man in the NBA at 7ft 6) talking to his teammates

– He attacked the man – eager to avenge deeds he had done to him. Or,  He attacked the man (eager to avenge deeds he had done to him).