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Texting lingo has crept into just about every aspect of life. Many people say "OMG" instead of actually saying "Oh my God," students write their papers like they are texting, and people send emails at work that look like they came from a teenagers cell phone.
Writing and grammar skills have gone down the drain but who's to blame? Do we blame the parents for not paying attention to or caring about their children's academic life; the teachers for not educating students properly or for not giving out adequate writing assignments; or do we blame technology for making vowels the enemy and abbreviations mainstream?
I say a little bit of all three is to blame. Sure teachers give out writing assignments, but I can tell you, from my experience, they don't give out enough and they don't expect enough out of their students. When I was in college I had two 30 page papers assigned, amongst many other lengthy papers. I didn't love completing them but I did them without a fuss. I was always amazed when a professor would assign a three to four page paper and students would throw a fit. "Three pages are you kidding me?!"
I think so many students reacted this way because of their high school experiences. If students don't have papers to complete in high school courses, college may come as a bit of a shock. College professors also continuously complained about student's lack of basic writing skills.
Most students, as well as adults, hate to write. What people don't understand is that most jobs are going to want somebody who can be a competent, professional, writer. Having writing skills is a major advantage when looking for employment.
On top of not getting enough practice and education in writing, people can't seem to figure out when to shut off the texting lingo. In a Pew Internet & American Life Project survey from 2008, "two-thirds of middle-and-high school students had accidentally used instant-messaging-style words in their work, while a quarter admitted to using emoticons in assignment."
Text however you want; I don't spell out my word either when I'm texting, but students of all ages should know when they are at school they need to write properly. Adults struggle with this concept as well. I have heard plenty of professor tales of improper student emails. In fact, I had a professor who required students to write every email to her in a professional business format. It had to have a greeting, body, and a complimentary close. If you didn't follow the format she emailed you back telling you she would answer your question when she received an email in the proper format.
If all teachers and professors were this strict about writing there wouldn't be so many problems with middle and high school students, college students, or adults in the work force. I'm not a perfect writer myself. Thankfully, I have an editor to look over my work. But it's sad that many people are forgetting the basics of writing. Writing is an essential part of everyday life; people need to re-learn their writing skills and leave the abbreviations for texting.