March 28, 2008
Read this post about exclamation points!
When it comes to using exclamation points, people have very strong opinions. I suppose that’s not surprising, considering the fact that the purpose of an exclamation point is to imply very strong feelings.
On one side of the argument, there are the pro-pointers. Take Elaine from Seinfeld: She likes exclamation points so much that she actually broke up with a boyfriend because he didn’t put an exclamation point on a note that she thought deserved one.
Then there are the anti-pointers: A good example of these folks is the band formerly known as Panic! At The Disco. For those of you who haven’t heard the news, they recently dropped the exclamation point from their name. Guess they got tired of justifying it to grammar-obsessed fans.
According to the AP Stylebook, exclamation points should really only be used to convey such intense feelings as astonishment, fear, and rage—in other words, genuine exclamations. Other uses include: emphatic commands (like this post’s title), irony (Anyone can get into Harvard (!)), and ambiguity (“Get out of here!” means something very different than “Get out of here.”).
Personally, I’m an anti-pointer. Sure, I believe that exclamation points have their place, but when they’re overused, they lose their emphasis and the content suffers. I’m sure Elaine’s ex-boyfriend would agree with me.
Which side do you fall on?
Filed by rebecca at 7:36 am under Grammar guide
What about people who use multiple exclamation points? I can’t stand it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, I agree. I love a good exclamation, but sometimes it’s just too much. And I agree with Jamie - one is plenty.
Oh, dear me. There was a girl in a creative writing class at my university who would not stop using exclamation points. All the time. We finally had to circle each one in big fat red pen so she could see their over-use.
But she still didn’t understand why they were unnecessary. She just got that it was getting redundant. NOTHING is that exciting.
Well. Except sex. Sex is pretty exciting. But nothing else.
Ooh. Getting published. Also that.
Wait for it . . .
No. I think that’s it.
Oh, and FIRE!
Tei - Well said. Those are all very exciting things indeed. (but still only deserving of one well-placed exclamation point …)
: )