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Parenthesis: brackets, dashes and commas
I can choose when to use brackets, dashes or commas for most effective parenthesis.
Lesson 3 of 4
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- Year 6
Parenthesis: brackets, dashes and commas
I can choose when to use brackets, dashes or commas for most effective parenthesis.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Parenthesis can be achieved with a range of punctuation: brackets, dashes and commas.
- Any type of parenthesis is additional information that can be removed without compromising grammatical accuracy.
- Brackets are useful in non-fiction writing to add extra, factual information.
- Dashes are useful in fiction writing for dramatic effect.
- Commas are useful to drop information in to a clause.
Keywords
Parenthesis - additional information that is added to a sentence; if it is removed, the sentence still makes sense
Brackets - a punctuation mark used to add extra, factual information in a clause
Dashes - a punctuation mark to add extra information in a clause often for dramatic effect
Clause - a group of words that contains a verb
Phrase - a group of words with no verb
Common misconception
Pupils may believe dashes and commas are used interchangeably in fiction writing.
We favour using dashes when we are showing a dramatic effect and commas when simply adding detail.
Encourage pupils to consider throughout whether sentences seem to come from fiction or non-fiction texts. In fiction, ask them to consider whether the sentence shows a dramatic effect (dashes) or is simply descriptive (commas).
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is missing after the fronted adverbial in the following sentence? 'Just then the door swung open.'
What is missing after the fronted adverbial in the following sentence? 'Just then the door swung open.'
a full stop
an exclamation mark
an adjective
Q2.A fronted adverbial can be:
A fronted adverbial can be:
a relative clause
Q3.Match the types of fronted adverbial to the examples.
Match the types of fronted adverbial to the examples.
Q4.Match the type of fronted adverbial to the sentence that uses it.
Match the type of fronted adverbial to the sentence that uses it.
Q5.Match the types of fronted adverbial to the examples.
Match the types of fronted adverbial to the examples.
Q6.Which of these sentences begins with a fronted adverbial clause of cause and effect?
Which of these sentences begins with a fronted adverbial clause of cause and effect?
Even though it was raining, we didn't wear our coats.
When it was raining, we wore our coats.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following can be used to add parenthesis to a sentence?
Which of the following can be used to add parenthesis to a sentence?
full stops
Q2.Which of these are true for all types of parenthesis?
Which of these are true for all types of parenthesis?
It never contains a verb.
Q3.Match the type of punctuation for parenthesis to its purpose.
Match the type of punctuation for parenthesis to its purpose.
Q4.Select the sentence that could include brackets for parenthesis.
Select the sentence that could include brackets for parenthesis.
The dagger shimmering and sharp glinted in the moonlight.
My cousin whose name is Jason works as a vet.
Q5.Select the sentence that could include dashes to show parenthesis.
Select the sentence that could include dashes to show parenthesis.
The village a pleasant group of pretty houses stood by a babbling brook.
My cousin whose name is Jason works as a vet.
Q6.Why should the following sentence use commas for parenthesis and not dashes? 'The village a pleasant group of pretty houses stood by a babbling brook.'
Why should the following sentence use commas for parenthesis and not dashes? 'The village a pleasant group of pretty houses stood by a babbling brook.'
It is showing a strong emotion or description.
It is adding factual information.
