BlogHer - Puncuation Promiscuity - Comments

Comma queen

Higgs2001 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:09:09 -0500

Oh boy, how I love commas. And oh how I hate run-on sentences! (Forgive me, I couldn't resist the exclamation mark! - There, I did it again.)

In this ever-growing digital

Higgs2001 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:05:39 -0500

In this ever-growing digital world, our in-person communication is becoming less and less prevalent, therefore we are forced to rely on electronic mediums to converse with one another. That being said, electronic media can be very trick to write and/or read. How many teenagers (or even adults for that matter) have encountered "misunderstandings" over someone’s misinterpreted remarks during an email correspondence, or an instant-messaging conversation. I believe the exclamation marks have made their way into electronic culture to help convey their intended message. And, as a footnote to your post, I would like to add that the use of CAPITOL letters is definitely abused and overused as well – in my opinion!

Exclamation Point Dictator

rebellious thinker — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:52:03 -0500

Hmm, which is worse: too many exclamation points or no commas? Have these "writers" no shame, do they know not when to pause just as they know not when to exclaim. As a glass half full person, all I can say is "at least they're writing!"

Laura, using far too many commas at www.rebelliousthoughtsofawoman.com.

shame faced

Melawen — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:34:42 -0500

I have to hang my head in shame here as I am one of those exclamation whores!!! (see - I had three there, I even almost put one on the subject line)

I find it very difficult not to write without exclamation marks, in fact, I probably have a few million in my blog - the temptation to add another one right there is soooo very strong, but I do understand what you are saying and will attempt not wear out my exclamation mark button on my keyboard.

Thank you for pointing this out to me (no, no, that does NOT need an exclamation mark)

Puncuation Promiscuity

Chandra Stauffer — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:45:50 -0500

There is an epidemic going on in the word processing world.

People aren't talking about it, but it needs to be addressed.

The exclamation point has become as meaningless as a teenager's apology. They are both required, but their absence means more than their presence.

For example:

Dear Rebecca,

How are you? I am doing great.

Thank you for the call the other day. It was really great talking to you again.

I hope we get to talk again soon.

Take care,

Chandra

The wording of this note does not indicate anything but contentment. It is perfectly pleasant. But exclamation points have become so prevalent in e-mails and blogs that if they are missing, we wonder...What is wrong??

So instead this is what we get:

Hey Rebecca!

How are you? I am doing great!

Thank you for the call the other day. It was really great talking to you again!

I hope we get to talk again soon!

Take care!!

Chandra

This is not the way we speak.

Can you even imagine if people spoke with as many exclamation points as they type? It would be like having every conversation with a high school cheerleader.

Holy crap. My eye is starting to twitch just imagining it.

Let's please pare down the use of these exciting tools of punctuation. Let's please use them when it's necessary to show excitement.

For example:

Dear Rebecca,

How are you? I am doing great.

Thank you for the call the other day. It was really great talking to you again.

I hope we get to talk again soon.

Take care,

Chandra

p.s. I still can't believe your husband had sex with your poodle!