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No, my em dash is not an AI

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A punctuation mark shouldn’t make me a suspect of academic dishonesty

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PHOTO: Dzenina Lukac / Pexels

By: Rehana Hayat, SFU Student

Due to the rise of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), there’s been talk of how to spot plagiarism. Many have claimed an em dash is a dead giveaway. Certainly, there are cases where the misuse of the em dash is a sign they used GenAI tools to create their work. However, using its presence as the only evidence is a problem because it hurts honest students, who rely on their writing skills to create their papers. The em dash should not be considered a clear indicator that anyone’s writing had been produced by GenAI — since it’s an incredibly helpful punctuation mark. 

I have been consuming English books since I was three years old, and have developed a love for reading once I did learn how to read. Since then, I’ve continued to expand my knowledge of the English language through elementary school, high school, and now university. As a writer, I’ve learned about many aspects of dynamic writing — everything from the use of passive and active voice to Latin abbreviations and disciplinary conventions. My em dash is certainly no exception! 

I often use it to create emphasis or dramatize multiple ideas within a sentence. For example, Simon Fraser University is Canada’s top comprehensive university — it attracts students from over 120 countries around the world — which has earned it international popularity. The em dash is a punctuation mark used by proficient writers who have a deep understanding of how to convey ideas efficiently. Overall, it adds a touch of elegance, which makes whatever we’re reading a bit more refined and engaging. 

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© The Peak Publications Society

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

For advertising inquiries: [email protected]
For promotional inquiries: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society