C h a z z W r i t e s . c o m

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Occasionally I come across a manuscript in which the writer tries to inject excitement where there really isn’t any. That’s considered an amateurish mistake.

Exclamation points are common in tweets and in advertising. In the newspaper business, the slang for the exclamation point is “dog’s prick.” (i.e. they really don’t like exclamation points.)

In books, exclamation points are permitted, of course. However, please don’t overuse them. The more they are used, the less effective they are. Even better? Write around the exclamation point where you can. The reader’s experience will be richer if they get the mood of the scene through context instead of spoon-feeding with them.

Filed under: writing tips, Exclamation mark, proper use of exclamation points