Comment on "Texting is revolution" by Michaela Cullington

1. Michaela Cullington in first paragraph opined that texting is more like a
revolution and has made life more convenient as one can send a message
to anyone while waiting in a queue, walking up to the classroom or while
sitting with parents without having to call the person. However, parents
and teacher opposes texting as the use of abbreviations is adversely
impacting the writing abilities of the students. As per the National Centre
for Education Statistics, only 25% of high school seniors are proficient in
writing. John Rema, author of ‘Keep it Short and Simple’, would blame the
use of acronyms for the bad writing skills of students.
2. In defence of texting, Cullington provides rebuttal of the points against
texting. She says that texting saying inculcates the habit of using simple
English as in conversations. Texting helps one to generate topic sentences
in writing. Texting motivated students to write formally. Cullington
employs evidence to defend the use of texting the way it inculcates
writing skills amongst teenagers. In her argument she quotes David
Crystal who has stated that texting enables students to summarize and
express cautiously. Cullington is persuasive in her defence of texting as it
offers personal insight and develop individual voice.
3. Cullington uses the quotes of experts, particularly the author of popular
books, in support of her argument that texting is beneficial in writing skills.
While quoting Dennis Brown, Cullington explains that students keep the
use of abbreviations only till texting and does not let it spill in their writing
assignments. Brown has rubbished the claim the youth hardly uses
abbreviations anymore now claiming that they consider it childish to use
textspeak. Cullington decided to prove this claim and interviewed few high
school student who agreed that they seldom use abbreviation sin texting
art from few popular ones like ‘LOL’ and ‘gtg’.
4. In my opinion, Cullignton would rebuttal the concerns of Turkle. Cullington
would defend texting and state that it facilitates communication. Texting
uses simple words as one does in real conversation. Texting encourages
even the introverts of the lot to converse with people as they do not feel
shy on the other side of the phone. People also learn to become more
expressive through the process of texting as they find their own voice.
5. I do agree with Cullington that texting has helped me to become more
expressive. Through texting I feel more comfortable to express my
thoughts as I am not face to face with the person and could not gauge at
the expression of the recipient, even though he or she is not liking my
views. While texting I use more of abbreviations and shorthand typing,
which is not evident in my formal writing. Further, while texting I have a
tendency to go precise in my thoughts and use less number of words to
express myself. However, while writing formally, I follow the structure of
proper academic standards which encompasses an introduction, body
paragraphs and conclusion. The use of evidence to prove my point is also
present in the formal writing. The body paragraphs also uses topic
sentences to make my point more clear.