Dashes and Ellipses

According to legend, King Midas ultimately died of starvation - all because of his wish that everything he touched would turn to gold.

Dionne strives to control every aspect of her life, but life - surprise, surprise - doesn't always accommodate her wishes.

We were watching Netflix late at night...then the doorbell rang. The ellipsis suggests suspense or hesitation. During the brief pause in this sentence, the author wants the reader to ask, "But what happened next?"

We were watching Netflix late at night - then the doorbell rang. The dash in this sentence suggests that everything happened very suddenly. This abruptness created a less suspenseful tension than the ellipsis.

The front door was locked, but the key under the doormat was missing.

The front door was locked...but the key under the doormat was missing.

The front door was locked - but the key under the doormat was missing!

often indicates an omission from a larger piece of text (omit text that is not relevant)

indicates a mysterious or unfinished thought, a pause, or silence

full quote: Today, after many hours of debate, the new bill was vetoed.

With Ellipses: Today...the new bill was vetoed."

I thought the party was nice.

I thought the party was...nice.