Say NO to Chatspeak - Creative writing for kids, great resources
Morning,
Are you fed up, like me, with kids who can only speak or write in chatspeak?
Kids whose grammar consists of 99% “like you know” and 1 percent…actual intelligent conversation?
I know I am! Chatspeak is utterly banned in my household. In many cases, today’s generation writes on a level that wouldn’t be accepted in the Kindergarten of my youth, let alone grown-up adult conversation. 
I’m not the only parent who hates chatspeak - other discussions about it include:
- Why Internet Slang Is a Huge Problem
- Scottish Girl Writes Whole Essay In Chatspeak
- English, Chatspeak, Newspeak
- Deterioration of the English Language
Personally, I think chatspeak by itself encourages your brain cells to die. Why should they be active if they’re only used to communicate on a level that would make a fossilized clam laugh? You can see chatspeak examples for yourself at:
Utterly dismal it is.
Anywhos, let’s get to the topic of this post - if you want your children to learn creative writing that actually is capable of influencing one’s emotions, here are some great sites:
- About.com Creative Writing
- Web English Teacher - Creative Writing
- Writing.com
- Kids on the Net Creative Writing
- Let’s Get Creative
- DMoz Creative Writing
- 10 Tips for Novice Creative Writers
The ability to communicate clearly and coherently is a skill that will be valuable long past your child has graduated! Do your kids a favor and ban chatspeak - it will only drag them down into the gutter where they truly DON’T belong.
Enjoy,
Barbara
ps - some neat creative writing goodies are:
EVERYDAY CREATIVE WRITING - SUZANNE GREENBERG MICHAEL C. SMITH (HARDCOVER) NEW
The Cambridge Introduction to Creative Writing by David Morley (2007, Paperback)
7th Grade Lot English, Literature, Creative Writing and Spelling books
Teaching Creative Writing in the Primary School: De…
11+ Creative Writing: Creative Writing and Story-te…
Let the Crazy Child Write: Finding Your Creative Writing Voice by Clive…
The Elephants Teach: Creative Writing Since 1880 David
Writer’s Cafe 2 Creative Writing - New
Everyday Creative Writing : Panning for Gold in the K..