A recent study found that the informal language of e-communication—emoticons, text shortcuts like LOL, etc.—sometimes finds its way into formal school assignments. Nearly two-thirds of students polled said some of their schoolwork had been affected by their online communication, with half saying they sometimes omitted proper punctuation, and a quarter saying they’ve used emoticons.
Richard Sterling, emeritus executive director for the National Writing Project, isn’t worried. These little slips are opportunities for teachers to teach their students the difference between casual e-conversation and more formal writing styles. In the not-so-long-term, he says language itself will be affected.
“I think in the future, capitalization will disappear,” says Sterling. (
New York Times)