How has internet

slang become an issue

in high school writing?

2014

Are English Language

Learners affected by it?

Will we ban the usage

of internet slang or can
we incorporate it?

Internet
Slang

QUESTIONS ASKED PERTAINING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND

WRITING
st

High School Students in the 21 century are faced with something that
can be both a benefit and disadvantage for them- technology. Internet
slang, also known as cyber slang, is creeping into high school writing.

Internet Slang
in Writing
According to Wikepedia Internet
slang (Internet shorthand, Cyberslang, netspeak, orchatspeak) refers to a
variety of slang languages used by
different people on the Internet. It is
difficult to provide a standardized
definition of Internet slang due to the
constant changes made to its nature.
Students are using internet slang, things
that vary and are not certain, as they
write. According to Tomaszeski, The
Times Daily newspaper cites a recent
report from Pew Internet and American
Life Project, "Writing, Technology and

Teens," which found that the cell phone

text-based abbreviated communications
teens use are showing up in more
formal writing Students are finding it
difficult to keep in mind the register and
differentiating between what writing is
formal and isnt. Ms. Valle, an ESOL
teacher explains that It is appropriate in
context A good writer will know how to use
it and thats what we need to teach but some
cant construct good writing so Im afraid to
use it because students may begin to think
that that is good writing. Need to be a really
good writer to know how to use that kind of
writing.

English Language Learners (ELLs)

I then asked whether internet slang also impacts ELLs.Ms. Valle explains that her advanced
ELLs often think This is acceptable, Im learning English. So its fine. However they do not
use it in the correct context or in a formal manner. They do not yet understand pragmatics.
Beginners dont use it though because they simply dont get it. Having to learn the language is
a lot in itself.

Solutions

What can we do?

Since it is difficult for students

to use it in the correct context,
what measure/method should be
used to grade papers that include
internet slang? Ms. Valle said a
holistic rubric that would include
whether or not the student used it
appropriately should be made.
She believes that usage and
conventions should count for
less when compared to
something like focus and
organization

I then asked what if internet

slang is used throughout the
entire paper, and is technically
in the correct context. Ms. Valle
then said she would have her
students rewrite the paper and
edit it. If this is after the drafting
process, the grade after
rewriting the paper cannot
receive an A.
"I think that students don't even
realize that they're doing it,"
Sakowicz notes. "When we're
using all this social media we're
not thinking about spelling

words right, so naturally that's

going to translate into the
classroom" (Lytle). So what can
we do and how can we help
students stray away from
internet slang in formal writing?
Ms. Valle suggests practicing a
lot of writing by doing, practice
drafting, and editing.
I believe a draft should be a
requirement so that students
have the chance of fixing any
mistakes that creep in before
getting a final grade.

The way students communicate with one another through social

media and text messaging is creeping into high school classrooms
across the country.
Lytle, Ryan

SMARTER
INVESTING:
Ban vs.
Usage

Can internet
slang work hand
in hand with
formal writing or
will that just
cause a fall into
failure?

FIRST M. LASTNAME

Financial Consultation

References
Lytle, Ryan. (2011, June 13). How Slang Affects Students in the Classroom. USNEWS. Retrieved
from: http://www.usnews.com/education/high-schools/articles/2011/06/13/how-slangaffects-students-in-the-classroom
Tomaszewski, Jason. Do Texting and Cyber Slang Harm Students Writing Skills? (n .d.)
Education World. Retrieved from:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/arcives/texting_impacts_student-writing.shtml
A.Valle, ESOL Teacher, personal communication, November 17 2014.
Wikepedia The Free Encyclopedia (n.d.) Internet Slang. Retrieved November, 20, 2014 from.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_slang