Public Service Announcement
There’s global warming, the bees are dying, and… the exclamation marks are multiplying!!! (Yes, yes, I cringed.)
Writers, PLEASE, stop the madness. One exclamation mark is enough to show how frustrated/shocked/aghast you are. Two or three only make you look stupid.
Ditto for question marks. Okay??
That’s all. Thank you.
May 3rd, 2007 at 9:58 pm
The bees are dying!!! Where did you hear that??? Oh no!!!!
Seriously though, I rarely use exclamation marks now-a-days and I stick to one question mark. And, it’s maddening to see others use multiple exclamation marks or question marks, though when I wasn’t into writing so much, I probably was liberal with my use of both. I’m less tolerant now, definitely with my own writing.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:08 am
I had to come by and visit your blog after reading your exclamation point rant
I will refrain from using excessive exclaimation points and question marks in this comment in order to be funny.
May 8th, 2007 at 10:35 am
I am very good about these when writing articles, my blog etc. Although in chatting, I am probably known to use a couple !! especially if something excites me very much. Or angers me very much. I usually only use one because it looks neater and even in chat I like to be neat. Am I weird?!?! Just kidding. I do think the net and chatting etc. have made people much less careful about everything: spelling, grammar, and so on. I cannot stand the “u,” “dis” (this) “4rm” (from), which to me does not even come together to pronounce from. This just makes people look silly, especially if you’re over the age of 16.
But if people are using mroe than one ! or ? in their professional writing, my gosh, stop right now!
May 23rd, 2007 at 10:38 pm
I love your site, very informative. Thanks for all the tips and insights. I’ve added you to my links, hope you don’t mind!