!!!

When did the exclamation mark go out of style? When did it become the mark of a middle school writer? Today I used an exclamation mark in an essay of mine, but I have a nagging fear of being derided as immature. Before now, I can't recall the last time I formally used an exclamation mark. I think that its usage only becomes a problem when the writer uses it to replace legitimate emotion or intensity. If you can use one to enhance or clarify a statement--denote that it is meant to be read with a little more oomph--I say, by all means, exclaim away!
The worthlessness of certain punctuation marks is the invention of English teachers, frustrated with the typical poor usage by their students. I remember also being told never to start sentences with "and" or "but." I was also told by my seventh grade teacher that she would not be teaching us to use parentheses because we would not be able to do it correctly. Lastly, the cliche Nazis would have us believe that any common figure of speech denotes a lack of originality. All of these devices have merit when used sparingly and correctly.