Much of the value of the exclamation point lies in its infrequent use, and young writers should be careful not to overwork it.

V. The exclamation point stands at the end of a sentence, or of a group of words within the sentence, to strengthen the expression of strong feeling.

Let not a traitor live!

God pity her!

Begone!

What nonsense!

"The fool!" he muttered.

"That bullet was better aimed than common!" exclaimed Duncan, involuntarily shrinking from a shot which struck the rock at his side with a smart rebound.

Exercises

99. Write a paragraph about some exciting experience of yours.

Before copying your work, see that every sentence (a) has a subject and a predicate, and (b) begins with a capital and ends with the proper punctuation mark. (Remember the caution not to crowd too much into one sentence).

100. (1) Exchange papers and correct with the following questions in mind:

1. Does every sentence end where it should? If not, put a neat S in the margin.

2. Is every declarative sentence followed by a period? If not, put a P in the margin unless the sentence is exclamatory.

3. Are interrogative or exclamatory sentences followed by the proper marks ?

(2) Revise your theme, and if there is sufficient reason, rewrite it.