End of sentence punctuation
While the punctuation in the middle of the sentence is extremely important, it’s the punctuation at the end of the sentence that makes or breaks the writing: if the end punctuation is incorrect, the whole sentence can be incomprehensible.
You have three options for the end of a sentence: period, exclamation mark, or question mark. Each one sets a different tone for the whole sentence. When we’re reading out loud, our tone naturally adjusts to the punctuation: a period is calm and sedate, an exclamation mark is loud and excited, and the question mark turns the end of the sentence up in wonder. In fact, you can use the same words and the same punctuation within the sentence, and change the whole meaning by using different end punctuation.
I went shopping. (Ho, hum. It was uneventful.)
I went shopping! (I had the best time and bought wonderful things!)
I went shopping? (I must have had a black-out or something. I don’t remember going shopping.)
Punctuation marks are small and easy to miss, so we always follow them with a space. Some people use one space, and others use two. If you are using a particular style or format, check to see if it has any preference for one space or two.