As a writer we are taught to use the exclamation point sparingly. There are limitations to writing that cannot truly express your joy with words, hence the overuse of exclamation points. I use them as gradual builds in paragraphs when writing informal notes to friends. It’s as if to say, “I am so excited about this news, but this is what I really want to say with the extra exclamation points, my joy cannot be contained in one exclamation point and it’s imperative that you know this.” In other words, I’m empathically connecting to your excitement.
If I walked around using exclamation points in my everyday life, I would be a much happier person. “Look at that tree! Wow, isn’t it beautiful? …. I can’t contain my excitement. I am over the moon with enthusiasm…”
I’m more of a reserved guy, so think about Steven Wright or a Ben Stein type character from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” suddenly turning into the manic Robin Williams when he is looking at a tree. Better yet, Sam Kinison; “IT’S BEAUTIFUL!!! UGHHHHH, I CAN’T CONTAIN MYSELF!!!!” Ugh, Uuughhhh…”
I sometimes think as I’m writing, “This person will not get how happy I am for her if I do not put an extra exclamation point here.” I mean, I’m really happy for this person. If I could tell this person I want to be them, I would. Maybe I need to start using more hyperbole, but that would come off as sarcasm.
For example:
“I wish my soul could merge with yours for a minute, so I could experience the same joy you must be feeling.” No doubt, this comes off as too sarcastic and the person might even be offended.
Or:
How about? “I cannot contain my joy. I am envious to the point of sighs and a fluttering heart filled with helium and wonder floating in my head… I am feeling so high for you right now.”
When I tried this in high school, my teachers would mark up my paper. “Just say you are overjoyed and be done with it. Don’t overdo it.” No points for creativity.
I noticed that my English professor friends don’t mind it – or maybe they do and they’re just too kind to mention it. But, it seems, the overuse of exclamation points is acceptable because we are asserting our personalities into the texts. I almost feel as if my friends, who have a basic context for who I am, can hear me saying what I mean due to the extra exclamation points. In fact, I think we should all be using more dramatic language and all caps to show our enthusiasm coupled with exclamation points. THAT MAKES SENSE TO ME.
The great comedian Steve Martin loved reading Rolling Stone when they documented his performances because they creatively found ways to accentuate what was being said in the moment through large caps and italicized intentions and such. I don’t have time to do that in quick one offs.
Texting has changed the way we perceive things and the shorthand that kids use baffles me. When you see how they use the shorthand to incorporate this into their texts, though, their personalities shine through. Place a text that is written out in full and place the text of a teenager and you will immediately understand who the person is writing the text:
Kid: “When R U going? We 8 at 3, so no grub – maybe some munchies.”
Adult: When do you want to be there? I had a late lunch, so I won’t be eating.”
When I consider great literature, the use of exclamation points is used sparingly. In the gospels when Jesus died it quotes the following:
“Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[a] When he had said this, he breathed his last.” (Luke 23: 46)
That’s it. No exclamation points. When the soldiers are jeering him, no exclamation points.
In Mark, Jesus cries out. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15: 34) No exclamation points. It goes on, “Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.” (Mark 15: 37)
Man, if ever there was a time to use an exclamation point, it’s when Jesus was dying and giving up his soul for humanity. Nope. Just a period.
I know that using exclamation points is being lazy with language and I need to do better, but I can’t help but appreciate them.
An imperative needs help; how else can I express my joy without sounding cynical or verbose?
The use of our exclamation points is personal. Each point, good and bad, intimates something inherent in each personality that points to a personal prose of understanding.
In the end, the exclamation point is life itself. There is a great poem by Linda Ellis about living life between the dash. Basically, the poem recognizes what happens between the beginning and the end and that which makes life worth living and meaningful.
Ellis writes:
“For that dash represents all the time that they spent life on Earth.
And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.”
If you live life well, the dash is the most meaningful part of the expression on the tombstone, so
I’m not surprised that most tombstones don’t include exclamation points after the date.
spirit beat 