Punctuation and formatting can be very tricky.
especially when typing an e-mail.
depending on the person to whom you are corresponding, a misplaced or extra punctuation or capitalization can make you look like a intelligent and well written or just plain dumb.
for example, take the exclamation point.
alone, it is nothing more than a line and a dot.
but if you put it in a bubble next to a comic book character....
you get a wordless reaction which articulates the very essence of that moment.
you also have to be careful with the number of exclamation points used and behind what formatting.
"Hey!" - jovial, no danger here.
"HEY!" - more emphasis, an increased urgency, a rise in anger.
"HEY!!" - more anger, less urgency, increased violence potential
"HEY!!!" - wow. you should run if it's directed towards you...
now when mixed with other punctuation, the "!" can show shock...
observe:
"What?" - a simple inquiry, maybe a response to a lapse in auditory functionality...
into...
"What?!" - obvious incredulity, dumbfounded response due to an external action or occurence.
then, with formatting...
"WHAT?!" - this is usually reserved for the "Wow-I-can't-believe-this-just-happened-because-I-never-though-anyone-could-be-that-stupid-but-here-we-are" moments, which is usually accompanied by an increase of the ambient anger, cross looks, and the increased potential for physical violence...
now, let us look at more positive examples...
"Thanks." - without the exclamation point, there is a sense of finality. nothing to turn up the corners of the mouth. exasperated or exahusted. polite, but almost sardonic, except for not so much, as sardonic would require more inflection of tone and an accompanying look...
"Thanks!" - appreciation. enough to know that it is more than just politeness. Although overuse can lead to deprication of appreciated sentiment.
"Thanks!!" - hey man, I really appreciate it.These are saved for the times when someone steps up that extra notch or does something very special.
"Thanks!!!" - ok. we are coming close to that line that is between appreciativeness and overenthusiastic, superficial sentiment. use very rarely, as overuse will probably make you sound (in your text) like a ditzy cheerleader...
"THANKS!!!!" - aaaand the line is crossed. All caps and more than three "!" just looks over done, too much, excessive, and whatever else means over the top...
... ... ...
elipses...
"..."
some could argue (correctly) that I might use these too much...
well...
I probably do.
but I've touched on this before, so I will not get into it again right now.
... ... ...
the comma...
","
very important, as these litte guys dictate flow.
they are dangerous, though, as they can easily be over used, and, many times, incorrectly.
But, if you know how, meaning you understand, to split up a sentence correctly, as opposed to incorrectly, then, if you would kindly notice, you can have a perfectly, if not fluidly, structured sentence, too.
... ... ...
the period
"."
The kindergarten class had a homework assignment to find out about something exciting and relate it to the class the next day. When the time came for the little kids to give their reports, the teacher was calling on them one at a time.
She was reluctant to call upon little Johnnie, knowing that he sometimes could be a bit crude. But eventually his turn came. Little Johnnie walked up to the front of the class, and with a piece of chalk, made a small white dot on the blackboard, then sat back down.
Well the teacher couldn't figure out what Johnnie had in mind for his report on something exciting, so she asked him just what that was.
"It's a period," reported Johnnie.
"Well I can see that," she said. "But what is so exciting about a period."
"Damned if I know," said Johnnie, "but this morning my sister said she missed one. Then Daddy had a heart attack, Mommy fainted and the man next door shot himself."
