2B - Do not panic - READ THIS

I know that I have seen many of you over the last two days to go over this in person, but I will put it on here too to encourage you.

Section B is SIMPLE.

You will be given data from a particular type of CMC (computer mediated communication). Usually, there are about 6-8 different examples. Do the following things:

1. Group them into about 6 different paragraphs based on things like (formal messages, very informal messages, spam messages, messages between close family, messages to large groups of people, messages which have a specific purpose or give orders).

2. Write an intro which points out that the language people use on this form of CMC will differ depending on who they are messaging and why they are sending a message.

3. Write six analytical paragraphs where you point out what these particular texts have in common, analyse around 3-5 language features which are present because of this particular context, and explain why it is happening. Use terms where possible.

4. Write two paragraphs explaining how YOUR experience of this CMC further proves that language changes depending on the audience/context (eg, how does your language on Facebook differ depending on whether you are speaking to a close friend or a work colleague?)

5. At about three points in the entire essay, place a quote in there from either a descriptivist (like Crystal) or a prescriptivist (Like John Humphrys). State what they would think of this particular use of language and respond by saying whether or not you agree with them.

Here is an example paragraph:

Texts 1 and 4 are both texts sent between close friends, and the bond shared between the users of CMC here will have a great effect on the language used due to shared understanding. In text 1, the sender uses the rebus abbreviate 'cul8r' when signing off, which will clearly be understood as they are close friends who will be used to communicating through text speak. Abbreviations like this were originally created to save time and money, but as David Crystal states are now mainly used 'to look cool'. I would agree here as the text is clearly gossiping and in no particular rush, and modern texters are not limited by character limits on texts. Similarly in text 4, the sender uses a letter homophone and phonetic spelling in the interrogative 'y wud i?' Once more, there is no advantage gained by saved time here, and so it is clearly used simply as part of a youth sociolect.