Write Right - Defence Academy of the United Kingdom

The exclamation markThe exclamation mark denotes the expression of surprise or strongfeeling. It can be used:After exclamations, especially those beginning with what or how.What a day!How amazing!That’s fantastic!Aaarrgh!After a statement considered surprising by the writer.They met on Monday and were married on Friday!After months of work the tomb was opened. It was empty!After emphatic commands, exhortations and wishes.Drop it!Come and join us!Long live the Queen!Tyronne, don’t touch that!Although it is widely used by sports writers, the exclamation mark, likethe dash, has little place in official writing. Using them frequently willgive your work a breathless, almost childish quality.Don’t use an exclamation mark unless you’re sure it’s necessary – andnever use 2 or 3 of them in a row!!27