Avoid excessive punctuation!!!
Summary
This article provides alternatives to the use of excessive punctuation.
Multiple exclamation marks or question marks are a clear sign of amateurish writing. The heading above seems hysterical, and the triple punctuation is simply redundant. Excessive use of exclamation marks and question marks also dilutes their effectiveness. Consider the following over-punctuated examples:
- "Oh, my God!!!", he exclaimed.
- Ring now for great bargains!!!
- "Are you sure???"
Restrict yourself to a single exclamation mark or question mark at a time. In the unlikely event that you need more emphasis, try adding initial capitals, italics or bold face. For example:
- "Oh, my God!", he exclaimed.
Keep in mind that most business documents can (and should) be written without any exclamation marks.
