I haven't been around all that much and was considering just removing this thread but I decided against it in the hopes that people can use the advice I am putting to aid themselves in becoming better authors. I hope people will like it and help me in getting better at writing.

In this chapter I will be going over some more punctuation marks that get used either too much or not at all these include

- Exclamation Marks !

- Question Marks ?

Exclamation Marks

An exclamation mark usually shows strong feeling, such as surprise, anger or joy. Using an exclamation mark when writing is rather like shouting or raising your voice when speaking. Exclamation marks are most commonly used in writing quoted speech. You should avoid using exclamation marks in formal writing, unless absolutely necessary.

Use an exclamation mark to indicate strong feelings or a raised voice in speech:

* She shouted at him, "Go away! I hate you!"

* "Good heavens!" he said, "Is that true?"

* "Help!"

* "Shut up!"

* "Stop!"

Many interjections need an exclamation mark:

* "Hi! What's new?"

* "Oh! When are you going?"

* "Ouch! That hurt."

*Interjection is a big name for a little word. Interjections are short exclamations like Oh!, Um or Ah! They have no real grammatical value but we use them quite often, usually more in speaking than in writing. An interjection is sometimes followed by an exclamation mark (!) when written.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

A non-question sentence beginning with "what" or "how" is often an exclamation and requires an exclamation mark:

* What idiots we are! (We are such idiots.)

* How pretty she looked in that dress! (She looked very pretty in that dress.)

In very informal writing (personal letter or email), people sometimes use two or more exclamation marks together:

* I met John yesterday. He is so handsome!!!

* Remember, don't be late!!

* I'll never understand this language!!!!

Question Marks

The main function of a question mark is to indicate a question or query.

Use a question mark at the end of all direct questions:

* What is your name?

* How much money did you transfer?

* Did you send euro or dollars?

Use a question mark after a tag question:

* You're French, aren't you?

* Snow isn't green, is it?

* He should go and see a doctor, shouldn't he?

Don't forget to use a question mark at the end of a sentence that really is a direct question:

* How else would I get there, after all?

* What if I said to you, "I don't love you any more"?

* "Who knows when I'll die?", he asked rhetorically.

In very informal writing (personal letter or email), people sometimes use a question mark to turn a statement into a question:

* See you at 9pm?

In the same situation, they may use two or three question marks together to show that they are not sure about something:

* I think you said it would cost €10???

Do not use a question mark after an indirect or reported question:

* The teacher asked them what their names were. (What are your names?)

* John asked Mary if she loved him. (Do you love me?)

* I'm wondering if she's coming. (Is she coming?)

Many polite requests or instructions are made in the form of a question. But because they are not really questions, they do not take a question mark:

* Could you please send me your catalogue.

* Would all first-class and business-class passengers now start boarding.