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Proposition: The “Quexclamation Mark” (QM) --- A Long-Needed Addition to Emphatic Interrogative/Rhetorical Grammar and Punctuation

Received: 25 September 2016     Accepted: 29 November 2016     Published: 4 January 2017
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Abstract

Typical questions, as sentences, are punctuated by the use of a question mark (?) at the end of the sentence. This informs the reader that the sentence is of an interrogative nature, and the, in spoken language, it requires a higher pitch than the ordinary statement type of sentence, which the writer intended, as a true question. Sometimes statements/sentences are posed as rhetorical questions, which do not require an answer and are often posed sarcastically. Often, there sarcastic/rhetorical questions (which are not intended as questions at all), are posed emphatically, in which case it is questionable whether the writer should punctuate it with a question mark (?) or an exclamation point (!), if not both. Persons learning English for the first time, such as school children, or those whose native language is not English, may not easily recognize an emphatic rhetorical question if it is punctuated merely by a question mark. Likewise, such individuals might not comprehend the question if it is punctuated merely by an exclamation point. Of course, the writer might use both (?!) together to punctuate the sentence, but this may cause more confusion. To remedy this problem, I propose the use of a new symbol which com bines both items into one. I call this herewith proposed symbol the “quexclamation mark”.

Published in English Language, Literature & Culture (Volume 1, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ellc.20160104.12
Page(s) 49-52
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2017. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Question, Question Mark, Rhetorical Question, Exclamation Point, Punctuation, Quexclamation Mark

References
[1] Edelman, Jack R. (1996). The Natural Classroom: A Directory of Field Courses, Programs, and Expeditions in the Natural Sciences. North American Press/Fulcrum Publishingf, Golden, Colorado, U.S.A. www.fulcrum-books.com ISBN 1-55591-923-5.
[2] Nobleman, R. J. (2013). Sorry For The Inconvenience/Going Your Way. My Adventures and Experiences on the New York City Subways…Buses Too……(and THEN Some!). Xlibris Corporation. www.Xlibris.com ISBN 978-1-4836-0450-3.
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interrobang#Invention
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interrobang
[5] www.mentalfloss.com/article/12710/13-lttle-known-punctuation-marks-we-should-be-using
[6] https://www.buzzfield.com/expresident/13-punctuation-marks-that-you-never-knew-existed?utm_term=.qjE7VeakG#.rqlW7QoxX.
[7] www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/10/economist-explains
[8] https://www.google.com/search?q=interrobang&sa=N&biw=1093&bih=510&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ved=DahUKEwi2llOn7dDPAhXGpR4KHdP3C6c4ChDsCQhm
[9] https://www.google.com/search?q=interrobang&biw=1093&bih=510&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiMyPDN8tDPAhWDPD4KHTbkDp8QsAQlkgE
[10] www.interrobang-mks.com
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Jack R. Edelman. (2017). Proposition: The “Quexclamation Mark” (QM) --- A Long-Needed Addition to Emphatic Interrogative/Rhetorical Grammar and Punctuation. English Language, Literature & Culture, 1(4), 49-52. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ellc.20160104.12

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    ACS Style

    Jack R. Edelman. Proposition: The “Quexclamation Mark” (QM) --- A Long-Needed Addition to Emphatic Interrogative/Rhetorical Grammar and Punctuation. Engl. Lang. Lit. Cult. 2017, 1(4), 49-52. doi: 10.11648/j.ellc.20160104.12

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    AMA Style

    Jack R. Edelman. Proposition: The “Quexclamation Mark” (QM) --- A Long-Needed Addition to Emphatic Interrogative/Rhetorical Grammar and Punctuation. Engl Lang Lit Cult. 2017;1(4):49-52. doi: 10.11648/j.ellc.20160104.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ellc.20160104.12,
      author = {Jack R. Edelman},
      title = {Proposition: The “Quexclamation Mark” (QM) --- A Long-Needed Addition to Emphatic Interrogative/Rhetorical Grammar and Punctuation},
      journal = {English Language, Literature & Culture},
      volume = {1},
      number = {4},
      pages = {49-52},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ellc.20160104.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ellc.20160104.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ellc.20160104.12},
      abstract = {Typical questions, as sentences, are punctuated by the use of a question mark (?) at the end of the sentence. This informs the reader that the sentence is of an interrogative nature, and the, in spoken language, it requires a higher pitch than the ordinary statement type of sentence, which the writer intended, as a true question. Sometimes statements/sentences are posed as rhetorical questions, which do not require an answer and are often posed sarcastically. Often, there sarcastic/rhetorical questions (which are not intended as questions at all), are posed emphatically, in which case it is questionable whether the writer should punctuate it with a question mark (?) or an exclamation point (!), if not both. Persons learning English for the first time, such as school children, or those whose native language is not English, may not easily recognize an emphatic rhetorical question if it is punctuated merely by a question mark. Likewise, such individuals might not comprehend the question if it is punctuated merely by an exclamation point. Of course, the writer might use both (?!) together to punctuate the sentence, but this may cause more confusion. To remedy this problem, I propose the use of a new symbol which com bines both items into one. I call this herewith proposed symbol the “quexclamation mark”.},
     year = {2017}
    }
    

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    AB  - Typical questions, as sentences, are punctuated by the use of a question mark (?) at the end of the sentence. This informs the reader that the sentence is of an interrogative nature, and the, in spoken language, it requires a higher pitch than the ordinary statement type of sentence, which the writer intended, as a true question. Sometimes statements/sentences are posed as rhetorical questions, which do not require an answer and are often posed sarcastically. Often, there sarcastic/rhetorical questions (which are not intended as questions at all), are posed emphatically, in which case it is questionable whether the writer should punctuate it with a question mark (?) or an exclamation point (!), if not both. Persons learning English for the first time, such as school children, or those whose native language is not English, may not easily recognize an emphatic rhetorical question if it is punctuated merely by a question mark. Likewise, such individuals might not comprehend the question if it is punctuated merely by an exclamation point. Of course, the writer might use both (?!) together to punctuate the sentence, but this may cause more confusion. To remedy this problem, I propose the use of a new symbol which com bines both items into one. I call this herewith proposed symbol the “quexclamation mark”.
    VL  - 1
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Author Information
  • Department of Science, Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York, New York, U.S.A.

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