Hello, I was wondering if you guys/gals know how to use dashes on the UC personal statement. Is it just two hyphens (–) or is there another way to do it?
Thank you so much!
in theory, it is supposed to be --, but I don’t think they will care.
Thanks! So just it’s just – with spaces between the two hyphens the two words it separates right?
For example: Bob went to Universal Studios – the best place on Earth
Odd way to use a hyphen. With that particular sentence, the best way to phrase it would be “Bob went to Universal Studios, the best place on Earth, where he encountered a giant Mastiff . . .”
(the dog shows were on 
)
Haha, didn’t seem odd to me. But is that the right way to use a dash on the UC personal statement?
You mean like, “Abbfkjafb – asdassdas – fesasaf.” right? Yes.
Ok, thank you so much!
Yes that’s the right way.
Thank you!
It’s nitpicking, but there typically isn’t a space before and after the em dash. Newspapers follow AP style and will use spaces, but beyond that spaces aren’t widely seen.
Neither is technically wrong, though I feel stylistically it looks better without a space.
I see. Thanks!
I think it depends. I know professors with academic books who have the spaces on both sides. (I also have, curiously, seen no space on the left and a space on right, FWIW.) I personally use the spaces – but then I used to write for a newspaper, and it was how I was taught in journalism school.
It’s a personal preference, I suppose. I like the readability and less-cramped look with spaces, but another might feel it’s awkward that way.
I insist on spaces [non-breaking] on both sides. I have the same take as @lindyk8 about readability.
Another thing I just realized, I have to put spaces on either side of the dashes to create an Em dash in Wordpress. If there is no space, it won’t create it.
The world is too confusing! :((
@lindyk8 and Microsoft Word requires the word followed by two dashes and the next word without any spaces before/after to create the em dash. A word, followed by a space then two dashes, then another space, creates an en dash. 
I think I prefer no space because I feel it somehow holds better continuity with the flow of the idea. Obviously that’s just my preference.
@briank82 well you’ve been in the magazine business and definitely have the upper hand. I do have a question: are all Em dashes created equal? Some seem so much longer.
Actually, I enjoy this conversation. It’s always interesting (for me, anyway) to discuss language/grammar usage, and read about changes, preferences, etc.
Another issue that may have some bearing in an arbitrary way is the kerning of letters. When letters are cramped together in a word, I would think a non-space Em dash would be less pleasing than a word with letters more widely spaced. Ultimately, it’s all about readability. I will keep the Em dash spacing in mind in the future and make accommodations accordingly, 
P.S. Maybe that’s why I’ve never been able to create an Em dash in word.
You can also use insert/special characters rather than relying on Word autocorrect to do it for you.
I prefer the slightly shorter en-dash, and I lower it two points, but I’m obviously compulsive. I’m often in a justified text environment, and the shorter dash works better.
In the end, I think what is important is what is pleasing to your own eye.
Whatever you prefer – but use sparingly! 
@abouthesame you lower it two points? :)) very cool.
Or … very prissy/anal/punctilious. Take your pick. It looks right to me – and I have it in a macro, so it’s, like, minimal keystrokes anyway. :)>-