All sentences must end. How you end them will determine the tone and sometimes the meaning of your writing. Should you make a firm statement, ask a question or shout your message from the rooftops?
The period, question mark and exclamation point are some of the easiest ways to set tone in your writing. Overuse any of the three, however, and you could be left with writing that can be boring, trite and a little cliché. A good mix of punctuation throughout your text can add interest and balance, provided they match the intended tone and meaning of your subject.
The Period
Ending Sentences with a Period
Periods end all declarative and imperative sentences that are not direct questions or exclamations (declarative sentences make a statement and imperative sentences issue requests or demands, but do not actually ask questions). Indirect questions should also end in a period.
For example:
Declarative: I do not agree with your statement about the feasibility of rocket-propelled cafeteria trays.
Imperative: Please get your feet off the sofa.
Indirect Question: Dave asked to cancel the cancel the game after it started raining fire.
Periods in Abbreviations
Certain abbreviations use periods, such as:
| Mr. | Mrs. | Ms. | Dr. | Ph.D. |
| B.A./M.A. | e.g. | i.e. | etc. | dept. |
| Rd. | St. | ft. | oz. | a.m./p.m. |
If your sentence ends with an abbreviation that ends in a period, do not add a second period.
For example:
In preparation for her tip to Transylvania, Jane packed everything she might need: passport, walking shoes, wooden stake, etc.
Abbreviation Exceptions
Do not use a period with U.S. Postal Service state abbreviations, such as:
Rough and Ready, CA
Bugtussle, KY
Quitaque, TX
Do not use periods with abbreviated organization names or with commonly used abbreviations that replace words, such as:
- NAACP
- NATO
- IRS
- HDMI
- TV
The Question Mark
Use a question mark at the end of a direct question to indicate uncertainty within or at the end of a statement.
Direct Questions
When are we leaving?
What were you thinking?
How could you think that getting a tattoo of Barney the Dinosaur across your back was a good idea?
Uncertain Statements
Use question marks within or at the end of sentences to indicate uncertainty.
For example:
He spent a lot (too much?) on a limited edition signed Alex Trebek commemorative plate.
You’re wearing that?
Questions in a Series
Questions written as a series do not need to be complete sentences, but they do need question marks.
Fore example:
What is that up in the sky? Is it a bird? A plane? An alien orphan sent from his dying planet?
The Exclamation Point
An exclamation point expresses strong feelings or surprise. A little goes a long way.
For example:
“Do not open your presents until your birthday!”
“I can’t believe I ate the whole pie by myself!”
In informal writing, you can use multiple exclamation marks to express stronger emphasis. In formal writing, however, you should only use one exclamation point.
I can’t wait to go to the concert this weekend! I’m so excited!!!
A Warning on Too Many Exclamation Points
Do not overuse exclamation points. Your intended effect will be lost; your writing will have more impact with a limited use of exclamation points marking the most important and/or emotional parts of your writing than if you try to stress every line of your text.
Text with too many exclamation points:
Several ships explode and sink without warning, throwing the nearby island into a panic! Tension heightens one night when something comes ashore, destroying houses and killing several people! A scientific expedition to the island discovers the cause of the destruction: the 160–foot–tall monster Gojira! Angry at being disturbed, Gojira begins a rampage that threatens to destroy the island, and, quite possibly, the world!
A more effective use of exclamation points:
Several ships explode and sink without warning, throwing the nearby island into a panic. Tension heightens one night when something comes ashore, destroying houses and killing several people. A scientific expedition to the island discovers the cause of the destruction: the 160–foot–tall monster Gojira. Angry at being disturbed, Gojira begins a rampage that threatens to destroy the island, and, quite possibly, the world!
Grammaphile 