exclamation point

Bonnie Gibson · May 16, 2005

Does anyone know when it is proper to use an exclamation point? I was always taught that you use it when you are using a sentence with exitement. I was told by a publishing company that I used the exclamation point in my manuscript:

<QUOTE> This is an editor’s bane and any editor worth their salt will scream long and loud.

Should we NEVER use it or what?

New author, very confused.

Bonnie

trumancoyote · May 16, 2005

I'd say it's proper to use a quotation mark whenever you're quoting anything

<I'm aware this doesn't make sense anymore>

Deleted member 42 · May 16, 2005

Bonnie Gibson said:
Does anyone know when it is proper to use an exclamation point? I was always taught that you use it when you are using a sentence with exitement.

Journalists refer to the exclamation point as a "screamer." That's a good way to think about it. Use it very, very rarely. The idea is that the words, and the context, should convey the "excitement," or other emotional intensity--and the punctuation mark may actually detract from paying attention to the words.

When you're reading fiction, notice how very rarely you see the exclamation point.

arrowqueen · May 16, 2005

Only when someone's falling off a cliff.

Bonnie Gibson · May 16, 2005

thanks

That helps a bunch.

Bonnie

exclamation point

Bonnie Gibson

trumancoyote

My Name is Sweet Thing

Deleted member 42

arrowqueen

RIP, our sarky besom

Bonnie Gibson