Punctuation in Interviews
Dashes and ellipses are essential in interviews to convey the nuances of spoken voice—hesitation,
interruption, and trailing thoughts—that transcripts otherwise miss. They turn monotone text into a
vibrant, emotional, and realistic conversation.
Punctuation
Mark
Dash (—)
Purpose in
Interviews
Shows an interruption
or someone being cut
off
Example
What the Reader
Understands
“I was going to explain,
but then—”
The speaker was stopped
suddenly before finishing.
“I thought the match was
The speaker changes direction
over—but then our team
or adds a surprising idea.
scored again.”
“The moment I opened the
Creates dramatic
The pause adds tension or
Dash (—)
door—everything went
emphasis
drama.
silent.”
“I’m not really sure…
Shows hesitation or
The speaker sounds unsure or
Ellipsis (…)
maybe we should wait a
uncertainty
nervous.
little longer.”
The speaker leaves the sentence
Shows a trailing or “I thought things would be
Ellipsis (…)
incomplete, often emotional or
unfinished thought different after the move…”
thoughtful.
Shows a pause while
“Well… I suppose that The speaker pauses to consider
Ellipsis (…)
thinking
could work.”
their response.
Dash (—) +
Shows interrupted “I wanted to tell him that I The speaker hesitates and then
Ellipsis (…)
hesitation
— … actually, never mind.”
changes their mind.
Multiple Dashes
Shows overlapping “But I already told you—” Two speakers talk over each
(—)
speech in conversation
“—No, you didn’t!”
other.
Dash (—)
Shows a sudden
change in thought
Practice Sentences
Add dashes or ellipses where needed.
1. “I thought I saw someone in the garden maybe it was just the cat.”
2. “If you let me explain”
3. “No that’s not what I meant”
4. “Well I suppose we could try again.”
5. “The lights suddenly went out everyone screamed.”
Answers here: