Evolving GrammarEducating the appropriateness of Abbreviations & Acronyms

Where they’re used

Facebook

TumblrTwitter

Online Games

Texting

School Work!

Everyday speech

Why Keep it Short?

• Limits

• Simplicity

• Convenience

• Makes Sense

• Association

Examples

CIA

USA

BofA

GM

e.g. i.e.

et al.

idk

GF

FB *$

5150 neways

d8 gtg

brb ttyl

Da UP State KPS

Making sense of it all

• They’re common

• They’re nothing new

• They’re not going away

• They don’t need to be in the “never-never” rules.

ShareDemonstrate the appropriateness of abbreviations.

• Show the students some of the abbreviations you’ve used at their age.

• Contrast professional/social use of abbreviations.• Communicate local views on abbreviations.

Inform

Steer students toward thinking about the reader.

Have students asking: Will my reader understand?

Will my reader expect them?

What will the reader think of me if I use it?

Encourage

Create community: Compile a growing list of abbreviations and

acronyms with your students

Have students text/write each other using as many abbreviations as possible

Scavenger Hunt: Have students find real-world examples of

abbreviations and acronyms and share them in small groups or to the class.