The exclamation point: What the …!
Exclamation points are fun — but they are potent. Just as you would use caution with anything fun but potent, please use these sons of guns sparingly and with care.
The exclamation point expresses a strong degree of surprise, incredulity or other emotion:
• Boo!
• Holy cow! That is one large ball of twine.
• Schnikies — that was a fun party!
• I’m gonna wash that man right outa my hair!
• Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy! (OK, so it doesn’t work so well here, but check this out.)
• I won the flippin’ lotto!!! (If this is the case, and you happen to be writing out the statement, by all means, feel free to use more than one exclamation point to get your enthusiasm across. For most cases, however, one will suffice.)
Placement with quotation marks
The exclamation point goes inside the quoted material when it refers to that material: “We’re having smashed potatoes and cheese wheels for dinner and you’re gonna like it!” he exclaimed.
It goes outside the quotation marks when it doesn’t refer to that material: I love reading “The Scarlet Pimpernel”!
Other punctuation
The exclamation point stands alone when it comes to ending sentences. Do not add a comma or period after an exclamation point. No matter what.
Placement in advertising
Don’t do it. Much like the sunburst in lame advertisements, it cheapens your product.
Usage: single vs. multiple
If you’ve ever received an e-mail from me, you’ll know that I use this punctuation mark almost as often as I inhale. It’s a habit I’m trying to break, but I’ve at least kept it out of any kind of serious writing (i.e., what I do for a living). People must have outlets, I say, so exclam away in your e-mails — if it doesn’t offend too many people. Just make sure to limit your !!! to the most casual of instances.
Happy trails!
SAK
Tags: advertising, editing, exclamation point, grammar, John Denver, Sunshine on My Shoulders, twine, writing
what about the interrobang? (?!)
“An exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke.”
F. Scott Fitzgerald
The interrobang (‽) is a special (and I mean very special) punctuation mark that can be used at the end of an exclamatory rhetorical question. With just a little nosing around, I couldn’t find it in my symbols or special characters. I’m sure there’s some fancy keystroke (but a simpler one on a Mac) for it, but I just copied and pasted the one above. The accepted way to get around that special character is, as you typed, “?!” I’d have to say, though, that the interrobang should be used as sparingly as, or even more sparingly than, the exclamation point. It can make the writing seem unprofessional, perhaps comical. Too many of those dudes, and you’ll have readers tune out. But thanks for bringing it to attention!