Exclamation marks (also known as exclamation “points” in American English) help clarify emotion or emphasis. While their interpretation is nuanced, exclamation marks help declare a dramatic declaration that feels more emphatic than a sentence ending in a simple period. In order to really make the emotion work, it’s best to limit exclamation marks to a maximum of one or two per document.

3 Ways to Use Exclamation Marks

Show Excitement
Give Emphatic Clarification
Express Anger

1. Show Excitement

DESCRIPTION
There’s no better way to show excitement in writing than with using an exclamation point.

APPLICATION
To use an exclamation point to show excitement, put an exclamation point at the end of a sentence that expresses excitement

EXAMPLE

I can’t wait to see the Wicked Reptiles in concert!
(In this sentence, the speaker is expressing excitement over a concert, so an exclamation point is used.)

2. Give Emphatic Clarification

DESCRIPTION
Sometimes you may want to give emphasis to a point you’re making to increase clarification. You can do this with an exclamation point.

APPLICATION
To use an exclamation point to give emphatic clarification, put an exclamation point after a statement you feel needs emphasis.

EXAMPLE

That’s my saxophone!
(In this sentence, the speaker wishes to make it clear that that is his saxophone and not someone else’s. The exclamation point helps clarify the emphasis.)

3. Express Anger

DESCRIPTION
Similar to the way that an exclamation point shows excitement, it can also be used to show anger.

APPLICATION
To use an exclamation point to show anger, put an exclamation point at the end of a statement that expresses anger.

EXAMPLE

I can’t believe he ate my Haggis without asking me first!
(In this sentence, there is an angry tone, which is heightened by the addition of the exclamation point.)

NOTE: Don’t overuse exclamation points. Overuse can take away from the power behind the exclamation point and make your writing seem less professional.