Folderauer+S.+blog+analysis

To: Proximity Social Networking Team From: Shannon Folderauer Subject: Report on the Effects of Social Networking on Grammar Skills Date: January 31, 2010

We were asked to analyze the effects of social networking on Gen Y for the upcoming Spring focus group sessions. A report done by Susanna Kelley of the Canadian Press, finds that grammar skills have suffered tremendously at the hands of popular networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. We should use this report to raise awareness of the usage of grammar within the workplace, as well as monitor it.


 * What the report has uncovered?**

Over the past five years, social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have become one of the most utilized forms of communication between peers, and over these years, professors at universities across Canada have noticed a large problem with basic grammar skills. An alarmingly number of students enrolled are not making the cut, even those who are considered above average cannot pass simple grammar tests. Many must take remedial English and grammar classes to enable them to write at a fluent level.

Kelley goes on to report that social networking sites and texting are “degrading writing skills.”


 * Why is this report important?**

What kind of asset is an employee who cannot express their thoughts clearly and proficiently and who ignores punctuation and inserts emoticons into work documents and memos? Improper use of the English language in the workplace shows employers that a person cannot write, or punctuate, and may be unqualified for his or her job. Social networking sites have transformed languages to the bare minimum, from abbreviations and lack of punctuation to the use of emoticons. At the professional level, this is not adequate, nor appropriate.

Communication is the fundamental means of exchanging one’s thoughts, ideas, and feelings to others. In a corporation such as our own do we want the world to see us a professional enterprise or a company where employees struggle with the task of writing sentences?


 * Questions:

Do you have a Facebook, Twitter, or other social networking account and/or frequently text?

If so how often do you use this or these accounts and text?

Have you personally noticed any change in your everyday grammar and writing (examples: shortening of words, not using punctuation, etc.) since you started texting and/or using social networking sites?**

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 * Source:**

Folderauer S.