Reading Response #1: Clive Thompson

Caity Chutuk

In an article written by Clive Thompson, the familiar concept that new-age technology is the cause of illiteracy is challenged. Thompson suggests that John Sutherland, a University College of London English professor, believes that newer technologies such as Facebook, texting, and PowerPoints are to blame for “bleak, bald, sad shorthand” that replaces “carefully crafted essays.” Thompson elaborates on Sutherland’s opinion by stating that, “An age of illiteracy is at hand.” However, not all, including Thompson, agree.

Andrea Lunsford, professor of writing and rhetoric at Stanford University, orchestrated the Stanford Study of Writing project to test if technology is actually causing illiteracy. Thompson spends a great deal of time describing the study as well as Lunsford’s opinions, which by doing so implies his agreement with Lunsford. Through the study, it is discovered that because young people today “write far more than any generation before them,” they have become exceptionally proficient at assessing an audience and adapting their form of speech to best engage those listening. Thus proving that as opposed to “an age of illiteracy,” what is actually at hand is “a literacy revolution.” Not only is there an improvement, but the suggestion that the shorthand influenced by technology is being reproduced in student writing, wasn’t found in the 14,672 writing samples Lunsford collected from students.

The way I see it, Lunsford’s study says it all. I have yet to use any kind of “texting shorthand” in my personal text messages, let alone my school assignments and will continue not to. The concept that students are becoming illiterate due to technology is just the opposite—knowing that others, both peers as well as advisors, will be reading my personal statements causes me to think about what others might infer from my words.

Although many might still conclude that technology is to blame for poor writing, and that certain colloquialisms that have become a trend in texting will begin to appear in student writing, I believe this is untrue. It is because of the access to others’ opinions that the internet and websites like Facebook have provided, that I realize what pictures my words paint to those who read them. By knowing this, I am able to produce statements and opinions of my own, and know how they are perceived when written in a public forum.

I find this matter important because the common belief that the internet is reducing the quality of writing produced by young people, may once have been true but now is not. Having had my entire academic career include the aid of technology, it in no way dampens my quality of writing. In fact, I would go as far as to say that typing my essays as opposed to hand writing them without the help of technology, has influenced my spelling in a positive way, as well as providing an easy way to catch simple mistakes that on paper would be messy to fix. It is my hope that higher education, and people with the opinions of John Sutherland, will one day do a better job of embracing the use of technology and will surely reap the benefits.