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The exclamation point

Exclamation point for emphasis

Use an exclamation point after a word group or sentence to express exceptional feeling or to provide special emphasis.

Example sentence: When Gloria entered the room, I switched on the lights and we all yelled “Surprise!”

Misuses of exclamation points

Usually one exclamation point is sufficient to convey emphasis in a passage. Using more than one will dilute the force of them all.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: Whenever I see Venus lunging forward to put away an overhead smash, it might as well be me! She does it just the way I would! Revised sentence: Whenever I see Venus lunging forward to put away an overhead smash, it might as well be me. She does it just the way I would!

Do not overuse the exclamation point for inappropriate or unnecessary emphasis.

Example sentence with editing. Original sentence: In the fisherman's memory the fish lives on, increasing in length and weight with each passing year, until at last it is big enough to shade a fishing boat! Revised sentence: In the fisherman's memory the fish lives on, increasing in length and weight with each passing year, until at last it is big enough to shade a fishing boat.

Exercise: Other punctuation marks