Exclamation Points!!!!

If you are above the age of fourteen, you will no longer be excused for your exclamation point abuse. Just what is exclamation point abuse?

Why, using one at all.

If you are writing a novel, you are allowed one exclamation point for the whole thing. There is another rule: you are allowed to use three exclamation points over the course of your lifetime. (I guess that limits you to three novels containing one exclamation point.)

Why? Because your words should convey the power of what you're saying, not smiley-faced punctuation.

Comments

[Lori]

Oh, no!!!!
whoops!
:)

[Terry Heath]

You seem fairly certain of your point, but I'm glad you didn't succumb to using an ... exclamation point! lol

Actually, you make a great point (no pun intended). If we find the right words, they will carry the weight. I hadn't thought about it, but I guess exclamation points are a lazy way out.

Now, of course, if you're using a declamatory statement it might be a little silly to exclude the exclamation point:

"Stop," she cried as her toddler headed straight into busy traffic.
"Billy, come back."

[Deborah Dera]

I agree with Terry. Sometimes the exclamation points are necessary. Some readers will not pick up on the tone regardless of the words you use.

Deborah
www.therhythmofwrite.com

[Suzanne Lieurance]

Hey,

I think exclamation points can be necessary. But the problem is people use them and then put information in a dialogue tag that isn't needed with an exclamation point. Like this:

"I can't take it anymore!" she exclaimed.

If you're using an exclamation point, we get it that the speaker is exclaiming - so there's no need to also "tell" us this (Gee. I really, really WANT to use an exclamation point at this end of this sentence, but since I only get 3 in my lifetime, I'd better save it).

Suzanne Lieurance
The Working Writer's Coach
http://www.workingwriterscoach.com

[Suzanne Lieurance]

Hey,

I think exclamation points can be necessary. But the problem is people use them and then put information in a dialogue tag that isn't needed with an exclamation point. Like this:

"I can't take it anymore!" she exclaimed.

If you're using an exclamation point, we get it that the speaker is exclaiming - so there's no need to also "tell" us this (Gee. I really, really WANT to use an exclamation point at this end of this sentence, but since I only get 3 in my lifetime, I'd better save it).

Suzanne Lieurance
The Working Writer's Coach
http://www.workingwriterscoach.com

[liosis]

"I can't take it anymore!" she exclaimed.

If you're using an exclamation point, we get it that the speaker is exclaiming - so there's no need to also "tell" us this (Gee. I really, really WANT to use an exclamation point at this end of this sentence, but since I only get 3 in my lifetime, I'd better save it).

Now, it remains to be seen if I can ever agree with this. I see the same thing about question marks. It is redundant, you should not say 'she asked' after a question. The trouble is '"How are you?" she said' makes me want to through the book across the room. She isn't saying, she is asking. -twitch-

But yes, exclamation marks = evil. My sister and I like to read things on the internet to eachother, and we always read the exclamation marks aloud and laugh...because people are silly.

In fact, I nearly lost a friend becuase he used too many exclamation marks in his notes.

[Jerald J Jansen]

I certainly agree that exclamation points are overused but wouldn't quite go so far to eliminate them (or have a lifetime quota of three). However, I am very careful not to use them except when a certain excitement must be conveyed. And NEVER use more that one (!!!). Sheesh, how irritating (full stop).

Jerry

[Lea]

But then why are there two exclamation points in the site banner?