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Advice for Parents'Texting' mom's patience
By Leanna Landsmann
Q: My middle-school daughter, Alisha, spends all her time texting. My sister
says, "Well, as least she's writing." How is that writing? Will texting
hurt her writing ability?
A: Your daughter's fortunes as a persuasive writer
won't rise or fall on her passion for texting. They'll be determined by the expectations
you and her teachers set. According to a report on teens, technology and
writing by the Pew Internet and American Life Project and the College Board, teens
use cell phones and the Internet primarily for their communications features.
The study shows that 85 percent of teens communicate through digital writing and
view writing as an integral part their lives. Teenagers also understand the importance
of good writing: 86 percent consider formal writing skills essential to future
success. Jeff Anderson, a Texas educator whose books and workshops help
English teachers turn middle-schoolers into eager writers, doesn't worry if an
occasional 'cuz' finds its way into a student's paper. "A student can change
that to 'because' in the editing process. No big deal." He sees a silver
lining in all that texting. "Teens who text want to express themselves. To
communicate. Inferring meaning is a large part of the texting interaction, as
well as immediate feedback on the clarity of their message. They follow the conventions
-- or rules -- of text messaging. I use that familiarity to link that to the conventions
we follow in academic writing," says Anderson. While there's no data
that points to possible negative effects on writing skills, Anderson sees room
for improvement when it comes to texting etiquette. "We must teach our children:
We don't text in class, when someone is talking to us, at dinner or when company
comes. We must also teach kids about appropriate word usage. We'd never write
'thank u" in a letter to a personnel director." Can you help Alisha
become a powerful writer? Yes!
First, know what types of writing she is expected
to learn. Ask her teacher, and look at the district curriculum standards and her
textbook for examples. Second, provide good models. "I still remember
my mother reading aloud some editorials to me -- that built a great foundation
for persuasive writing," says Anderson. In many states, for example, one
of several middle-school writing standards is "writing to transmit information."
Students are assigned informational essays, business letters, multistep directions,
news articles, brochures and guides. To help your daughter, find examples at home.
What makes a guide to a new appliance helpful? Discuss how newspaper columnists
or online bloggers convey information. Look at how a brochure presents a product.
Third, help her manage her assignments. Too often students start writing
a report due Tuesday on Monday night. Using her school planner, help her block
out the work. What research is needed? How long will it take? Note dates for outline,
first draft, revise, final and so on. "Break it into manageable parts; check
progress at key stages," advises Anderson. Fourth, have her read her
writing to you, but don't try to correct every little mistake. "Too often,
editing happens in a vacuum, with no relationship to what students are writing,"
says Anderson, author of "Everyday Editing" (Stenhouse, 2007). "Teach
her that editing and revision are meaningful parts of the writing process, not
simply a hunt for errors at the finish line." Fifth, ask her to write
for you. Need a letter to solve a problem with a store? Need a brochure for the
church sale? Have her draft them. Finally, show her the progress she's
making over time, says Anderson. "Focusing on her strengths goes a long way
toward motivating her to continuing to write." Copyright 2008, United
Feature Syndicate, Inc. A-PLUS ADVICE FOR PARENTS 11-3-08 Submission
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