If you can't hear me, it's because I'm in parentheses. For example, dates, sources, or ideas that are disconnected from the rest of the sentence are set apart from the sentence with parentheses. Don't overuse the dash, or it will lose its punch. Note that commas, periods, and question marks go inside the quotation marks for standard, American style usage. Do NOT use quotation marks for ordinary use of slang or colloquialisms.
Ellipses perform two very distinct functions in writing.
In fiction a other creative writing, an ellipsis is often used to indicate that a speech or a thought has trailed off unfinished. Four dots do not indicate a bigger pause or larger omission. An ellipsis is typed as three periods with one space between each. It is a punctuation symbol of its own, which means that it can be added to commas and periods already represented in the sentence. Don't be sloppy with the ellipsis.