Here is a brief introduction to the appropriate use of end marks in writing.

1. Sentence Ending Marks: Period,
Exclamation Point, Question Mark

2. Sentence Ending Marks: Period,
Exclamation Point, Question Mark
Introduction: Think about a time when you may want to:
 Give driving directions to a friend;
 Share exciting details about a surprise birthday party
for a special person;
 Ask a co-worker how to use an app to complete your
work;

3. Sentence Ending Marks: Period,
Exclamation Point, Question Mark
Would the tone of your voice change in any of these
situations? Would you expect answers to questions in any
of these situations?
-OR-
In any of these speaking situations, your voice may
change, your sentences may be shorter or longer to help
the other person understand what you are saying, or you
may wait for a reply.

4. Sentence Ending Marks: Period,
Exclamation Point, Question Mark
When writing sentences, each situation requires a special
symbol to let others know when to pause/stop/think, when
to understand excited emotions from the writer, and when
to answer a question.
These symbols represent three end-of-sentence
punctuation marks: period, exclamation point, and
question mark.

5. Sentence Ending Marks: Period,
Exclamation Point, Question Mark
A period (.) tells your reader to stop and think about what
you wrote before moving on to the next sentence.
Based on the first example in the introduction, the
sentence could be written as follows:
 John, drive north to Lincoln Avenue and turn left at the
light.
 The period at the end of the sentence shows that John
should follow the direction before proceeding to the
next direction.

6. Sentence Ending Marks: Period,
Exclamation Point, Question Mark
An exclamation point (!) shares emotions with the
reader.
Based on the second example in the introduction, the
sentence could be written as follows:
 I am excited about the surprise party for my best
friend!
The exclamation point represents excitement about the
statement. In this case, it shows happiness about an
upcoming event for a good friend.

7. Sentence Ending Marks: Period,
Exclamation Point, Question Mark
A question mark represents a request for answers to any
subject.
In the last example in the introduction, here is how the
sentence could be written:
 How do I use the app to print a receipt for the
customer?
 The question mark identifies the need for an answer.
In this case, instructions are requested for using the
app.