I was interviewed a year or so ago by an AP writer who read a book I wrote on spelling, and he asked if these text-messaging spellings were creeping over into college writing. I think he wanted to hear me say "hell yeah and I'm not going to stand for it!" However, as I would say today to him, I do not believe this is a widespread problem with most college students, who seem able in their formal writing to understand they need to avoid txt-spellings and abbreviations. However.....my wife who teaches sixth grade has seen an increasing number of the creep-over of these spellings. Most seem to know such language is not formal; they just say it's 'easy' to use them. Yet quite a number have no idea that txt-spellings are not considered correct in formal writing. Larry Beason >>> "R. Michael Medley (GLS)" <[log in to unmask]> 06/20/08 9:11 AM >>> 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 To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/ To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/