RE: Is it good English to end a question with an exclamation mark?

["Connie Giordano" <connie -at- therightwordz -dot- com>]

The sentence is a question and therefore number 2 is correct.  To make
number 1 correct, reword it "Log on to www.xyz.com to send free SMS!!!"
from a marketing standpoint, an imperative works better than a question, and
I would suggest the copywriter go with something similar to the revised
number 2.

HTH

Connie Giordano

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+connie=therightwordz -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+connie=therightwordz -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of Raj Machhan
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 8:05 PM
To: TECHWR
Subject: Is it good English to end a question with an exclamation mark?

Hi all,

I am up against a peculiar situation trying to choose between a question
mark (?) and an exclamation mark (!) to end a sentenece. It may appear
trivial, but after tapping multiple sources for a definite answer, I
concluded this was a matter fit for discussion.

Which one of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?

1. Have you logged on to www.xyz.com to send FREE SMS !!!

2. Have you logged on to www.xyz.com to send FREE SMS ?


This sentence is part of a promotion designed to attract visitors to a
website. The copywirter is sure that the first option is correct. Others,
however, are not so sure about it.

Thanks and regards,

Raj Machhan
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