Exclamation point is a punctuation mark shown as !. An exclamation point indicates some strong feeling in connection with what is being written. It serves as a signpost to a reader that a sentence expresses intense feeling. But it is usually a weak substitute for the techniques a good writer should use to express strong emotions. An exclamation point may end a declaratory statement (She's a genius!) , a fragment (After midnight!) , or what would otherwise be a question (Isn't that a shame!) . It may express an exclamation (What a relief!) , a wish (If only he'd come!) , or a cry (Help!) . Exclamation points are most common in written dialogue. They should be used carefully in any type of writing, and very seldom in formal writing.