Calling all grammar experts-- or anyone with an opinion

[partly]

A grammar question, please.

When writing dialogue and wanting to end a sentance in mid-thought, is a dash (--) or an ellipse (...) used? I've had sources that contradict each other. Should I choose one and stick with it?

I also have one source that says:: "The dash is used to indicate an abrupt break" and "The ellipse is used to indicate that a sentence trails off before the end". To me that would mean I would use both in my writing to indicate two different things.

"Everyone stay down I have a--" A shot echoed through the night and he folded to the ground, dead.

"I don't know what else it..." She chewed her lip, but didn't go on.

Yes? No? The sentences are so badly written I should just shoot myself?

Comments

[donnickcottage.livejournal.com]

I can't tell you academically, but I can tell you what I do and why. If my goal is to project an abrupt change of thought I usually e... (nd) with a partially written word and elipses as if it were cut off in mid delivery. Otherwise... I use an elipses as a pregnant pause, and if I do it right I can see the reader slowly falling into the page hoping to be caught and saved a horrible crash and burn by the next words. I've never used a dash.

[alliesings.livejournal.com]

Your examples are spot on. A dash says the speech was interrupted, and the elipses indicate that there was a period of silence. I use both where applicable, but if you overuse the elipses, people may start making fun of you ;)

[k-kinnison.livejournal.com]

Isn't one caused by an interruption, while the other is left with "dead air"