IMPACT OF SHORT MESSAGING SERVICE (SMS) LANGUAGE ON THE WRITTEN ESSAYS OF RURAL AND URBAN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ZARIA METROPOLIS, KADUNA STATE
IMPACT OF SHORT MESSAGING SERVICE (SMS) LANGUAGE ON THE WRITTEN ESSAYS OF RURAL AND URBAN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ZARIA METROPOLIS, KADUNA STATE
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Date
2014-12
Authors
OKAFOR, ABUMCHUKWU EBERE
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study examined the impact of Short messaging Service (SMS) language on the
written essays of rural and urban senior secondary school students in Zaria
metropolis, kaduna state. The design adopted for the study is the descriptive survey
design. Five secondary schools were selected for the study, three from the urban and
two from the rural area. The sample of the study comprises 100 students from the
selected secondary schools, SS2 students were used. For data collection, samples of
the students’ written essays were examined for the following features of SMS: spelling
errors; lack of punctuation; over-punctuation; shortening of words, incomplete
sentences and acronyms. These were grouped under the four components of the
WASSCE marking scheme which are content, organization, mechanical accuracy and
expression. The data was analyzed using t-test statistical instrument. The results of the
study showed that using signs and symbols (SMS) has an effect on the development of
content, organization, mechanical accuracy and expression components of the
students’ essay writing. Texting helps students to develop writing ability and create
ideas but these ideas are not properly presented. In the light of the results of the
study, the researcher recommended that students be given more essay writing
exercises and teachers of English should endeavor to mark regularly based on the
content, expression mechanical accuracy and organization components of the
WASSCE marking scheme and give corrections and feedback.
Description
BEING A THESIS SUBMITTED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND
SOCIAL SCIENCE EDUCATION IN FULFILMENT OF THE AWARD OF
MASTER IN EDUCATION (TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND
LANGUAGE) AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, KADUNA STATE.
Keywords
IMPACT, SHORT MESSAGING SERVICE (SMS), LANGUAGE, ESSAYS, RURAL, URBAN, ZARIA, STUDENTS