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Gavin Higgins
ENC 1101
Mcgriff
27 October 2016

Argument Essay
Tday ppl r mxing txt vcab n with their daily lives, using it in school essays and common
writing, wreaking havoc on the basic principle of grammar. SMS originated in the 1980s. It did
not grow into popularity until the early 2000s, the first use of SMS were pagers. Controversy
over how texting and online communication has run rampant over the past ten years. Shortened
vocabulary has shown up in vocabulary tests and school reading. Is texting ruining our
generations ability to use proper grammar? In studys it is known to have affect our youth, testing
statistics show a drop in literacy and writing skills. Although there is contrary evidence that it has
neither a benefit or deficit to our youth. Is texting really the problem, or is it just the opinion of
others who resent it?
Today many people in the education systems believe, there is a decline in grammar scores
due to text messaging. Mr. Ray Williams created an article about this issue. A study by the
University of Calgary shows, people who texted more were less open to new vocabulary. She
states that our assumption about texting is that it encourages unconstrained language. The term
tech speak is used to describe the shortened, abbreviated vocabulary many people use when
texting. They argue that the use of these shortcuts may actually hinder a personas ability to
switch between tech speak and the normal rules of grammar (Williams 1). From personal
experience, I have never had an issue between knowing what should be abbreviated and what

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shouldnt in formal writing. These studies tell as if our brains our hard wired for tech speak
and cannot switch in-between both formal and tech.
People do believe texting has a negative impact on our literature capabilities, there is also
studies showing it has a positive impact also. David crystal supports this conclusion, stating that
Although many texters enjoy breaking linguistic rules, they also know they need to be
understood (Crystal 901). In mores studies, less than 20% of text messages are found to be
abbreviated. I agree with this 100%, many studies about the negative impact of texting are over
exaugurated and are not full of factual evidence and have an opinionated bias to it.
Throughout the decades people panic over new things. It is a natural reaction to be weary of
something new, and if the person resents it, it causes panic. For example, Search engines lower
our intelligence, encourage us to skim on the surface of knowledge rather than dive to its depths
(pinker 1029). But there is always a reality check for people with that type of nonsense, when
comic books were introduced in the 50s people that it was turning kids into robbers and
murderers, making them violent. When in the 50s crime was at an all-time low, Video Games
are another example also of the over exaggeration. David Pinker the author of Mind Over Mass
Media is one of those people. The use of texting has not ruined our literacy skills and it is
common sense and very easy, to switch between tech and formal writing when need be.
As much factual evidence there is on how texting is negative on our youth, it always leads
to the opinion of the author and how much they resent texting. From video games to comic
books, any new age idea has its flaws, but some flaws are exaggerated more than others. Today
texting is a convenient way to communicate with others, in many different circumstances. Using
the knowledge of common sense and a basic education, one knows not to use tech speak and
abbreviate in normal school work or essays.

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Works Cited

Williams, Ray. FOCROFLOL: is texting damaging our language skills? Psychology

Today. 28
July. 2012. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.
Crystal, David. 2b or not 2b? The Bedford Handbook. Ed. Dianna Hacker and Nancy

Sommers. Vol. 2. Boston: Bedford, 2014. 899-907. Print.

Graff, Gerald. Birkenstein, Cathy. Is digital Communication Good or Bador Both?
They Say I Say. Ed. Vol. 3. New York, London: Norton and Company, 2014. 167-172.
Print.