How do these digital communication methods impact the writing process?

Answer 1

Well from personal experience I have found that when using text messages and email communications I do not always use formal communication or writing, more like common text messaging lingo if you will. For instance, when using these types of communication, we tend to use basic lingo or slang; we do not use proper English or grammar. So there for these types of communication limit our ability to perform formal writing in terms of team work and so forth, in both the academic and professional environments.

I have done a tad bit of research on text and email communication and how it affects individual's formal writing. In my initial findings I have found that by using email and text messaging communication we are limiting our ability to perform proper writing.

A professor at the University of Georgia has conducted research on this particular matter. She wrote an article about effects of communicative technologies. This article is focused on High School Students. However, I still believe it is relevant to what we are discussing here. Please see the following quote, on the abstract of this professor's article.

According to (Holly Frilot, 2005),

"Communicative technologies, such as instant messaging, text messaging, and email, are popular with many of today's high school students. Through these types of communicative technologies students develop nontraditional spellings and abbreviations - a lingo of their own. This study examined the correlations between the writing students use within communicative technologies and writing for school purposes. Students participated in two interviews, a questionnaire, and submitted several class assignments to be evaluated for instances of communicative technology shorthand. Although no instances of this shorthand were found in their writing for school purposes, some of the research suggested that dialogue about audience and providing classroom validity to communicative technologies allows students to differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate writing styles more easily, leading to self-correction in writing rather than teacher-correction."

I believe that this professor, has made some great points and highlights on how emails and text messaging effects formal writings.

In today's age of cell phones, text messages, and emails, formal writing is used less and less. However, when we are writing formal letters of importance we do not have the options of delivering them by email or text messaging. Due to the facts that in most cases it is not appropriate or is not allowed to be delivered through digital communication methods and so forth. The Louisiana State University defines formal writing as the following:

"Formal writing has a logical pattern that stays on track without digressing. Writers revise their message carefully so that sentences read smoothly. Individual sentences are well structured, and the sentences flow together. Each word counts, and, instead relying on casual transitions like "well …," the writer finds transitional expressions that indicate the underlying logic of the message. Writers also adhere to the conventions of standard grammar."

The use of digital communication through emails and text messaging is fast and easy for many people. Some individuals even prefer this method of writing, however, the impacts on the formal writing process is clear. At the same time, the individuals that author the emails and text messages are so use to writing using these types of communication; it is easy to forget how a formal letter or communication is written.

References:

Frilot, H. M. (2005). Effects of Communicative Technologies on Writing in High School. Retrieved September 10, 2009, from "http://projects.coe.uga.edu/itm/archives/fall2005/ITM_Frilot.htm.

Louisiana State University. (n.d.) Informal vs. Formal Communication: Conversation Compared to Writing. Retrieved September 10, 2009, from http://www.lsue.edu/users/dsimpson/1001/formal-informal.htm