Washington Post staff writer Linton Weeks seemingly believes everything he
reads:

"In a survey, Internet language -- abbreviated wds, :) and txt msging --
seeping into academic writing."

"Text messaging creep-over"?  Not a sign of it as far as I can tell.  I
just returned from reading more than 700 Advanced Placement English
language and composition essays written by students from across the
nation.  I saw plenty of inarticulateness but absolutely no sign
whatsoever of "text messaging creep-over" into academic writing. 
Apparently, high school students, even those who score rather low on their
essays (4.5 is about the average score on a scale of 9), know to keep
features of text messaging register out of their academic writing.

R. Michael Medley, Ph.D.
Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
[log in to unmask]  (540) 432-4051

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