In a typical school week competition recently held in a
school, a strange topic was given and students were asked to write their
reactions in a few words. The subject and the top ten reactions were as
follows:
The Subject: Can SMS (Short Message
Service) language be allowed for students in an examination?
The reactions:
Student 1: There has been a trend to spoil our old
classic songs sung by great singers by preparing their remixes. Deforming
exquisitely written material by using SMS language looks similar. There is no
way I can support the topic.
Student 2:
SMS is a time saver. Just like in a general language, idea is definitely
conveyed and you save time too. So, why not? I shall go for it. Nowadays nobody
has got time to beautify, explain and provide details. You think to the point
and so you should be able to express fast. SMS is the fast way to write and to
my thought it should be allowed in an examination.
Student 3:
I think this is one point where convention confronts change. Writing explicitly
and exquisitely are gone with the wind and writing and grasping fast are in. I
am not with or without the opinion but expressing my opinion. So I shall take a
path in between and say “Beauty lies in the I’s of the beholder” and it’s up to
him/her what one takes and what one rejects.
Student 4:
I remember the days when I was a first time chatter on the internet and could
not make out the very first message sent to me. It read ‘ASN ’. Many days later I came to know that it meant
Age, Sex and Name. Day is not far when a student will write LOL at the end of
an answer or draw a smiley to begin an answer. May be teachers will give
questions like: Name the things required 4 photo Cnthesis
Student 5:
Short-hand writing already existed but is it allowed in an examination to write
the answers? It is not popular with teachers and students nor can be SMS style
of writing. Since the conventional style of writing convinces well and gives a
soothing feeling it can naturally be preferred.
Student 6:
SMS writing is not as easy to understand as conventional style. You have to be
on your toes to understand the SMS style writing. So it triggers your brain and
keeps it active. My vote is definitely in support of the motion.
Student 7:
Since SMS s are used over cell phones, consulting each other about study
materials will be easier by way of sending and receiving salient points. To put
it another way academic communication among students will improve.
Student 8:
I wonder how there can be two angles to such a thought. I find it hard to take
how someone can speak in favour of such a cruel idea that will completely wipe
out the beauty of tradition, the authenticity of presentation and most
importantly the thoroughness of explanation. With SMS language the questions
and answers will look like broken pieces of a landscape which can never provide
the same enchantment as the entire view.
Student 9:
Examination is neither about sending and receiving messages nor about chatting
and e-mailing. A part of it consists of language style and eloquence, clarity
of expression and effective communication of one’s thoughts and ideas to the
examiner. This can be done efficiently by conventional language only and never
by SMS language.
Student 10: Conventional language explains a fact and the
main theme of the say is lost in the crowd of words. On the other hand with SMS
mnemonics nobody would fiddle with the main idea of communication and would
concentrate on passing the crux of the matter. QED.
