Tutorial Writers' Wretreat or Crytics' Crypt? (love needed)

Now.

 

I'm waiting.

 

@spawning of Bob perhaps the next discussion prompt could be "stealing some-one's thunder"

 

There is no other thunder.

 

>.< I am the most thundery thunder

 

You put the mutton Vindaloo in the transmogrifier again? Lager is the only thing that can kill a vindaloo!

 

Well Slanputin,
I can agree, to some extent, with Fitzgerald on this point. The overuse of the exclamation point is something seen in amateur writing as some people lack the ability to describe something in detail and so thrust this little bit of punctuation in there to get their point across. However, I think you go a bit overboard. Exclamation points are in the English language for a reason. You might as well be telling us the same thing about a question mark. After all, shouldn't the writer be able to describe the situation without the use of this bit of punctuation?

Example 1 (expression of emotion):

"No!" he cried as he watched, in horror, as his father was spitted on the swordsman's blade.
"No," he cried as he watched, in horror, as his father was spitted on the swordsman's blade.

Which conveys more power and emotion?

Example 2 (the overuse of exclamation):

"Let us feast!" he shouted, patting his companion on the shoulder. "Dorag you sly bastard! We would never have made it out alive had you and your men not come along!"

"Let us feast," he shouted, patting his companion on the shoulder. "Dorag, you sly bastard," he chuckled, "we would never have made it out alive had you and your men not come along."

It's not a big difference, but the use of exclamation really isn't required in this second example. The author can add just a few words here and there in order to paint a scene.

That being said, I think you also have to consider the time period in which Fitzgerald wrote. Yes, some great works were produced during that time period, but style changes through the years (Many, many years since his work was first published). Though he should be applauded for his achievements and his perspective, to me, the point he was trying to make seemed more focused on what was going on at the time. You refer to an exclamation point as "spam" and "poor journalism". I think these two articles go hand in hand. In an age where media and entertainment businesses didn't have all the other ways of getting your attention as they do now, how else would you grab someone's attention? Look up old newspapers, movie posters, or ads from that time and compare it to today. I bet you'll find that most modern stuff never touches the exclamation point where as the old used it more liberally.
So, that's what I got. Thoughts?

Edit: So in my reading I missed the end quote and thought everything you posted was a quote from ol Fitz. I've edited it a bit. My bad.

 

Don't worry Putin, I heard your thunder first and have responded in kind. Bob... Oh Bob, Bob, Bob... I think you might need some help with your thieving thunder ways. I'm going to refer you to TTA (Thunder Thieves Anonymous).

 

Sorry @Slanputin !

I didn't even spot your prompt because it must have been posted while I was writing my own. What rotten luck!

In general terms, I think the exclamation mark has lost impact. I PREFER USING ALL CAPS. ISN'T THAT BETTER?

In writing I often use it to distinguish words which are broadcast.

"Hey Gordon, watch this. Stick your head over the parapet, Bob! I think the enemy have gone away!"

That is cheaper than referring to Elton murmuring an aside then calling in a loud voice.

I'll analyze how I use the thing next time I write a block of dialogue.

 

Ok, so I disagree with LKC on some points: exclamation points are not equivalent to question marks. Question marks, along with commas and full-stops (oh go on then, 'periods'), are integral to good grammar: to posit a question without a question mark would be poor grammar. Conversely, exclamation points are optional. Don't get me wrong: exclamation points have their place. I'm not against using them, but they need to be applied properly. Applying them properly (as I interpret it) means bringing attention to specific and significant points. The only place I diverge from this somewhat is in spoken language - people don't speak in essays after all, and it may help to vocalise a character's emotional distress. However, even then applying them often can and will reduce their impact.

@lordkingcrow I think you may have misinterpreted my final paragraph. I wasn't basing my argument solely on Fitzgerald's opinion, it was just a quote which seemed relevant to my point of interest. I don't believe exclamations points are "spam" or " poor journalism" (as I said, I'm not against using them), however they are often employed by the author's of such things in an overbearing, obtrusive, and patronising manner. Whilst they may be a useful tool in the realm of flash-media, I think the overuse of them is something that should be avoided in prose.

Generally, they're easily abused and patronising. Like Scalenex said, I feel the author should focus on conveying their story in an organic manner rather than forcing the point with a "!".

I hold my hands up to your point on semi-colons @Scalenex, it's definitely something I trip over now and again.

Ha, not to worry @spawning of Bob at least the next discussion point is lined up and already sequestering in the back of our minds

 

Also, I've never been referred to as "Putin" before.....an unfortunate connotation to have when you're username was innocently inspired by a Boney M song

 

I think of you as" Slannie"

after seeing Putin as above, I was also bothered by the real world connection. if not for the @tag function I would have called you " 'putin".

Such an action would have reignited the great apostrophe debate. interesting times we live in.

 

I concede your point on the question mark. I think I made the error of speed reading through your original post. I guess I just never felt there was a major issue using an exclamation point if the situation requires it (which you appear to feel the same... I think?). I think the only place we differ is that I think it can make some text more powerful with it than without, but that's literature for you.

So I think we are all, roughly on the same page. My question is, in what situation would you use an exclamation point?

 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hahaha !!!

 

Hahaha! Love it.

 

i renounce all claims to punctuation and all caps

 

@lordkingcrow whenever you want to convey an extreme and/or highly emotional statement. Emphasis on the extreme, as it needs to distinguish the sentence from other commands/exclamations etc.

In terms of the impact on the audience, using it infrequently aids in bringing greater emphasis to the point (imo)

I'm beginning to feel this topic is reaching a conclusion. Bearing a reply from others, perhaps @spawning of Bob could start his topic soon

 

@Scalenex : I'm just wondering if you're a professional writer. You always have seem to have some very deep and insightful thoughts on the subject of writing. I enjoy reading your comments.