[texhax] The Em Rule, a Question of Style

[Philip G. Ratcliffe]

> I read somewhere that the em rule should preferably be prefixed with 
> a non-breakable space character ( ~ ), mainly for stylistic reasons, 
> however, there was no mention of a ~ suffix to ensure that a line 
> break doesn't occur immediately after the em dash.  Would a 
> conscientious typesetter place a ~ on both sides of the em dash, or a 
> prefix ~ is the only stylistic requirement? Further, what would the 
> list think of the idea of using \mbox to make sure that a line break 
> doesn't appear on the left or either side of the em rule/

Many, if not most, style guides suggest that there should be NO space
surronding the em dash.

Cheers,  Phil