The other day I was chatting back and forth with a friend of mine on Facebook and I realized two things about myself...I REALLY like pajamas and I use way too many exclamation points in my posts!!! See, I can't help myself. I don't even know when or how this happened because I'm pretty sure that I used to be one of those people who would get annoyed with other people who could only end a sentence with an exclamation point.
Grammar.yourdictionary.com says that "Although exclamation marks were introduced into the English language in the 15th century, exclamation marks did not even exist as a separate key on standard typewriters until the 1970's". WHAT?! People have only been able to indicate a heightened level of excitement for 45 years?! The site goes on to say "Exclamation points were originally called the "note of admiration". They are still, to this day, used to express excitement. They are also used to express surprise, astonishment, or any other such strong emotion. Any exclamatory sentence can be properly followed by an exclamation mark, to add additional emphasis".
Grammar.yourdictionary.com says that "Although exclamation marks were introduced into the English language in the 15th century, exclamation marks did not even exist as a separate key on standard typewriters until the 1970's". WHAT?! People have only been able to indicate a heightened level of excitement for 45 years?! The site goes on to say "Exclamation points were originally called the "note of admiration". They are still, to this day, used to express excitement. They are also used to express surprise, astonishment, or any other such strong emotion. Any exclamatory sentence can be properly followed by an exclamation mark, to add additional emphasis".
If I use these principles to evaluate my own writing I am always surprised or astonished. Apparently I feel I need to add additional emphasis to everything I post. I guess I'm today's version of the town crier. If you don't know what this is, may I suggest you watch any episode of the series Rome, on Netflix. The town crier in that show is AWESOME! And yes, that sentence was FILLED with strong emotion.
I'm posing a challenge to myself this week...I'm going to get out of my pajamas more and I'm going to try to post for an entire week without using any exclamation points. And while I am very excited about this, I can no longer express that emotion.
This makes m quite happy. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Laura. You are my first comment and I would love to celebrate it with a plethora of exclamation points but I can't. Just pretend they are at the end of this post.
ReplyDeleteThis was AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteThank you Staci, I really needed that. This is a whole new world for me.
DeleteHm, thought I already left a comment...
ReplyDeleteYou of all ppl should have a blog. Good luck with your challenge!!! 😝😝
Come visit my blog some time.
Melanie I would love to follow you, what's your blog name?
DeleteI totally agree with Melanie....you have been making us laugh online for years! Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging.!
DeleteThank you Kathy.
DeleteI love your posts on Facebook and challenges about being thankful. Looking forward to reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to blogging. I can't wait to read more of your posts. From one Pajama Mama to another, I give you permission to add additional emphasis to everything you post!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Christel, I must admit that life is a little less exciting without those exclamation points this week.
ReplyDelete