Ever wondered exactly how you are supposed to use all the different types of dashes? Check out this video from the good people of the New Yorker--very useful!

I use an em dash in practically every sentence.

Thanks, Lucy. I'll check it out. Dashes are on my list, but way down, of things to figure out. How about punctuation around parentheses? Inside or outside a run-on sentence? 

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I'll check it out, but I have worse to deal with, (far worse.) Or: I'll check it out, but I have worse to deal with, (far worse). 

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Here's a better one, out of my footnotes: The royal edict would provide him with an easy post (no set duties) and a nice pension (life-long swell eats). Or: The royal edict would provide him with an easy post (no set duties) and a nice pension (life-long swell eats.) 

--edited by Mimi Speike on 9/4/2015, 2:48 PM--

Well, I screwed that up. I got my examples switched in order, so when you say the latter, I don't know which one you mean.  Here, try this one:

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1. ... verse that rhymes (or tries to,) without resorting to cliché. Or: 2. ... verse that rhymes (or tries to), without resorting to cliché.

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I use parentheses often. I make a statement, then qualify it, walk it back, a have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too strategy that I am addicted to, so I would love a definitive answer.

 Again, this isn't the best example, but I hope you see what I'm asking.

--edited by Mimi Speike on 9/8/2015, 2:49 PM--