The Em Dash: Ann Handley’s Defense of Punctuation’s ‘Wingman’

In a recent LinkedIn post, Ann Handley makes a spirited defense of the em dash, pushing back against the notion that its use is a sign of poor writing or an indicator of AI-generated content. Handley, a prominent voice in content marketing and writing, argues that the em dash is a powerful tool with a long history, designed to serve specific rhetorical purposes.

She highlights a common sentiment she’s encountered: “As soon as I see an em dash, I stop reading.” Handley dismisses this as “absolutely ridiculous,” asserting that the em dash has a legitimate and centuries-old function in written language.

The Em Dash’s Purpose: More Than Just Decoration

Handley proposes a simple test to determine if an em dash is being used effectively. She asks writers to consider:

The 2-Second Em Dash Test: 1. Do you need an interruption, an important aside, a dramatic turn, or a little extra oomph? 2. Does the em dash create a meaningful pause, a turn of thought, contrast, surprise, a human aside, or emphasis the sentence has actually earned?

According to Handley, if the answer to these questions is yes, then the em dash should be used “fearlessly.” She frames the core question not as whether punctuation “looks like AI,” but whether it is “doing real work” to enhance clarity and impact.

A Hinge, Not Smog

Handley likens a useful em dash to a “hinge” that turns a sentence, mimicking natural, conversational speech patterns. She contrasts this with a “lazy em dash,” which she describes as creating “smoggy slop, spewing robo-nothingness into the atmosphere like a dirty diesel engine.” Such usage, in her view, creates a false sense of drama without improving understanding.

“The em dash—as the starting lineup of Team Punctuation—isn’t just grammar,” Handley writes. “Punctuation is a kind of wingman to your words: It helps them confidently come alive in someone else’s mind.” She emphasizes that effective punctuation, like writing itself, relies on rhythm, taste, intention, and conveying a human voice, rather than strict adherence to arbitrary rules.

Reclaiming Human Voice in the Age of AI

Handley’s passion for the em dash stems from a broader concern about preserving human expression in an era of rapidly advancing AI. She sees the careful and intentional use of punctuation as a way for writers to “claw back what’s ours from a technology that has—let’s be honest—already taken quite a bit from us.”

“We can’t push AI back into a box. but we can reclaim what’s rightfully ours,” Handley asserts. She concludes with a firm declaration: “The robots do not own the em dash. Get in, loser—we’re taking it back.”

For Handley, the proper use of the em dash is not merely a stylistic choice but a small but significant act of maintaining authenticity and human connection in communication. She implores writers to ensure their em dashes are earning their place, contributing meaningfully to the clarity, rhythm, and distinct human voice of their content.