In "Eats, Shoots & Leaves," Lynne Truss emphasizes the importance of proper punctuation, particularly the exclamation mark. She highlights how excessive use can weaken writing, comparing it to the use of canned laughter in television; it detracts from genuine humor. Truss references F. Scott Fitzgerald, who humorously suggested that relying on exclamation points resembles laughing at one’s own jokes.

This witty analogy underlines the notion that skilled writing should convey tone and emotion without over-reliance on punctuation. Truss argues that effective communication requires finesse, and writers should be mindful of how punctuation choices impact the reader's experience. The book advocates for a more restrained and thoughtful approach to punctuation, underscoring its significance in written expression.