Clive Thompson recently published an interesting article regarding the impact on language by current technology. Mr. Thompson's opening statement makes it clear that he is aware of a commonly held opinion that today's youth does not write well . To establish this, he first quotes Professor John Sutherland stating that recent applications like Facebook, and texting are contributing to a growing decay in the quality of written language.
However it is implied that Mr. Thompson does not share this view. He goes on to site the "Stanford Study of Writing" report by Andrea Lunsford who argues that "We are in the midst of a literacy revolution". Her report looked at the everyday as well as academic writing being done by students today. There was no evidence of text speak seen in the work she examined, but did find there to be a definite rise in the amount of writing being done overall. She concludes that today's youth is reviving literacy and taking it in bold new directions, with a stronger ability to assess and adapt to their audience.
The amount of support Thompson gives to Ms. Lunsford's study leaves us to believe Mr. Thompson shares these views. He confirms this when he notes a comparison in the amount of writing done today to the lack of writing done outside of school in the past. Because people use more text to communicate nowdays they have better at writing.
Coming from the generation of people that "never wrote anything outside of school" I have to agree with Thompson on this point. Having peaked in on the postings of some of my classmates I am impressed with their ability to formulate and express their views.
I have spent the weekend agonizing over this essay and have discovered just how difficult it is to put together an intelligent thought.
However it is implied that Mr. Thompson does not share this view. He goes on to site the "Stanford Study of Writing" report by Andrea Lunsford who argues that "We are in the midst of a literacy revolution". Her report looked at the everyday as well as academic writing being done by students today. There was no evidence of text speak seen in the work she examined, but did find there to be a definite rise in the amount of writing being done overall. She concludes that today's youth is reviving literacy and taking it in bold new directions, with a stronger ability to assess and adapt to their audience.
The amount of support Thompson gives to Ms. Lunsford's study leaves us to believe Mr. Thompson shares these views. He confirms this when he notes a comparison in the amount of writing done today to the lack of writing done outside of school in the past. Because people use more text to communicate nowdays they have better at writing.
Coming from the generation of people that "never wrote anything outside of school" I have to agree with Thompson on this point. Having peaked in on the postings of some of my classmates I am impressed with their ability to formulate and express their views.
I have spent the weekend agonizing over this essay and have discovered just how difficult it is to put together an intelligent thought.
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