Comments on: #InfographicInspiration: The Workplace Is Tired of Exclamation Points!!!

By: Bryan Ngo

Bryan Ngo — Thu, 03 May 2018 04:26:28 +0000

I agree, too. There is no point in using an exclamation point in the workplace because the target audience tends to be people who just need to be informed. The reader doesn’t care of your emotions towards the content that you provide. Either way, an exclamation point is not as clear as words for expressing how you truly feel. But, they are fun to use when I want to add something extra or ensure on a discrete level whether I am excited or serious. So, I agree that they are okay for casual emails. Even then they aren’t necessary. It’s almost like adding sprinkles on a cake. One wouldn’t put sprinkles on a wedding cake though…

By: Moqi Zhang

Moqi Zhang — Tue, 01 May 2018 23:20:55 +0000

I totally agree with this article. I always use exclamation points to show my feeling. I will use this punctuation when I feel so excited. Sometimes, professors give me great grades, I will say “Thank you so much!!”. I really want the receiver can know how happy I am, but I don’t know maybe this punctuation will make the receiver feel uncomfortable. Furthermore, I like words rather than punctuation. I don’t like seeing too much exclamation points when I use chat app. Sometimes I want to calm him/her down.

By: Khang Lieu

Khang Lieu — Tue, 01 May 2018 00:53:52 +0000

I disagree with the article, I’ve received plenty of professional emails that include exclamation points. If the matter is not serious, I don’t see why exclamation points would be a bad idea. Using them when a milestone is reached, or for a “hi” or “thanks” seems perfectly normal to me. A single exclamation point doesn’t seem too bad, but using multiple exclamation points such as “!!!!!!” does seem super unprofessional and similar to texting language. I do agree with the article that just because someone doesn’t use exclamation points and comes across serious in writing does not mean they’re cold-hearted, even though I’m pretty sure that’s satire.

By: Benjamin A Beheydt

Benjamin A Beheydt — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 22:43:46 +0000

I would generally agree with the infographic, as satirical as it is. I do believe that the emphasis that is given through the use of exclamation points can be created through better word choices. If we look at most acclaimed novels, they stray away from complicated punctuation use and instead couple poignant, flowing prose with nothing other than periods. I think the same applies in the professional world: the ideas, moods, voices, tones, etc. that we want to convey in a professional message can be sculpted using well-versed phrasing. Personally, I have found myself using too many exclamation points in my emails, especially to professors. It’s a habit I have been trying to break. Even as I write this, I feel the urge to add one.

By: Daniel Ott

Daniel Ott — Mon, 30 Apr 2018 18:05:20 +0000

I agree with this article that you should try not to use exclamation in the workplace because it can appear unprofessional or childish. In my opinion there are some cases when you can use exclamation points, but they should generally be avoided. I think if you are sending out a non-important or not serious email to co workers it could be okay to include an exclamation point. I think the use of exclamation points mostly depends on the target audience of the document, as well as the content contained within the document. For example, if you are sending an email about a company bbq, and exclamation point could be used. On the other hand, if you are emailing important documents to a superior, then you should definitely not include any exclamation points.

By: Rachel Cannon

Rachel Cannon — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 23:41:35 +0000

I agree with Katie. I think exclamation points are appropriate for emails in the workplace, unless you are writing to someone you are not familiar with or someone in an authority position.

By: Katie

Katie — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 22:47:22 +0000

I disagree. I think that exclamation points make a huge difference to the receiver. While I too would avoid using them in a technical work, I see no reason to avoid using them in a professional setting. I read emails that lack exclamation points as dry and the author is unexcited and dispassionate. This infographic seemed to take a very cynical look at their usage, but I for one will not stop using them. They are a great show of my personality and I can think of only very few people who I would stop to consider if I should delete my exclamation points.

By: Mariel Jastrebsky

Mariel Jastrebsky — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 18:28:37 +0000

I agree with that. I know when I first started writing emails I would use a lot of exclamation marks because I was excited and wanted to generate excitement and get my tone across. However, I realize that as we go into the professional world that people do not like when there are so many exclamation marks. I think it makes you sound juvenile unless it’s used very rarely and for the correct purpose.

By: Alexander Tsai

Alexander Tsai — Sun, 29 Apr 2018 04:03:12 +0000

I thought this article was very entertaining to read through. It gets the point across in a very effective manner by adding humor to it. I can relate to this topic because I tend to use exclamation marks a lot in my emails, even the professional ones. I use them because I think it lightens up the mood and makes me look more friendly but after reading through this infographic, I realize now that getting straight to the point with words is more effective than using exclamation marks.

By: Cassie Bienert

Cassie Bienert — Sat, 28 Apr 2018 18:23:49 +0000

You are 100% correct about the satire – reading it made me feel kind of stupid and childish for ever using exclamation points. I am like you in that I do not use them in technical writing but I do use them for emails. And according to the other post about formal letter writing, email is a form of professional writing and it should be drafted like one.

For me, I am so concerned about coming across as not personable, dull, or not excited about something when I email. However, if there is something I have learned from this class- and reading posts from classmates and especially the professor – there are ways to sculpt you writing to make it “not boring” without exclamation marks. I regularly comment on one of my writing group member’s work about how personable his writing is (I can definitely here is voice through his words). So I will try to stick to this technique rather than punctuation.