RFC 454545: Proposed Standard for Proper Em Dash Usage in Technical Documentation
By
jdauriemma
Sesame, salt, and substance. A flagship bake.
Summary
RFC 454545 is a fictional technical standard proposal that humorously addresses the misuse of em dashes in technical documentation. The document presents a formal RFC-style specification for proper em dash usage, including definitions, syntax, semantics, and implementation guidelines. It critiques common errors like using multiple hyphens instead of proper em dashes and provides detailed rules for spacing, length, and contextual usage. The RFC includes examples of correct and incorrect usage, implementation considerations for different platforms, and a formal ABNF grammar for em dash parsing. The document serves as both a technical specification and a satirical commentary on documentation quality.
Key quotes
· 5 pulledThe em dash (—) is a punctuation mark used to indicate a break in thought, an interruption, or to set off parenthetical information. It is distinct from the hyphen (-) and en dash (–) in both appearance and usage.
Common errors include using two hyphens (--) or three hyphens (---) in place of a proper em dash, inconsistent spacing around em dashes, and using em dashes where other punctuation would be more appropriate.
This document defines a standard for the proper use of em dashes in technical documentation, with the goal of improving readability, consistency, and professionalism in RFCs, API documentation, and other technical writing.
Implementations MUST support the Unicode character U+2014 (EM DASH) as the canonical representation. Fallback mechanisms MAY include conversion from double hyphens (--) or triple hyphens (---) when proper em dash characters are not available.
The em dash standard is not merely about typography—it is about clarity of communication. Proper punctuation helps readers understand technical concepts without unnecessary cognitive load.
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