The Exclamation Point!!!

After receiving a few comments on the “Tag, I’m It” post, I’m issuing a formal statement on the exclamation point. I am not opposed to the use of the exclamation point, rather I am opposed to the blatant overuse of the exclamation point. Some people end every sentence with an exclamation point. I found the following in a grammar guide on the internet:

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Use an exclamation point [ ! ] at the end of an emphatic declaration, interjection, or command.

"No!" he yelled. "Do it now!"

An exclamation mark may be used to close questions that are meant to convey extreme emotion, as in

What on earth are you doing! Stop!

An exclamation mark can be inserted within parentheses to emphasize a word within a sentence.
We have some really(!) low-priced rugs on sale this week.

Note that there is no space between the last letter of the word so emphasized and the parentheses. This device should be used rarely, if ever, in formal text.

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My main peeve is with respect to the last sentence – the use of the exclamation point in formal text. The exclamation point has no business in business communications. I would not send an e-mail or letter correspondence to a client with an exclamation point in it because I work with 99% men and I think it undermines the credibility of my writing.

My stance remains firm on smiley faces :P.