Running head: A SUGGESTION FOR TEENAGERS

A Suggestion for Teenagers:
Earning Workplace Skills by Practicing Longer Forms of Writing

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A SUGGESTION FOR TEENAGERS

2Abstract
Lenhart, Arafeh, Smith, and Macgill state, “teenagers' lives are filled with writing” (2008, p.
1). Lenhart et al. (2008) explain that by texting using SNS (social networking service) orsome other electronic technologies, teenagers these days are more likely to write than when
their parents were at the same age. As this study shows, writing opportunities for teenagers
are increasing. However, this can be said only in the use of shorter forms of writing.
According to Smit (n.d.), students do not write well, because they do not have an opportunity
to use longer forms of writing. These two contradicting statements imply that teenagers arelikely to use shorter forms of writing than longer forms of writing these days. However, thisdoes not mean that there is no necessity for teenagers to practice longer forms of writing. On
the contrary, it is important for teenagers to practice the longer forms for the purpose ofearning skills which are useful in many places such as the workplace. Since teenagers arestudents in school, they have more time to practice writing extensive essays than workingadults. Therefore, this essay suggests teenagers to use more complicated forms of writing inorder to enhance their workplace skills.

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3A Suggestion for Teenagers:
Earning Workplace Skills by Practicing Longer Forms of Writing
By texting, using SNS (social networking service) or other electronic devices,teenagers these days are likely to write more easily than their parents were at the same age(Lenhart, Arafeh, Smith, and Macgill, 2008). However, students today are more capable ofwriting shorter essays since they are much simpler and easier to comprehend. According toLenhart et al. (2008), 92% of teenagers have written brief essays as schoolwork while 31%
have written brief stories for the use of personal enjoyment in the past year. By contrast, 93%of teenagers have submitted essays for their school while 8% of the teenagers have written
essays for their personal enjoyment in the past year. These figures mean teenagers are likely
to use shorter forms of writing for their personal enjoyment, and they only use longer formsof writing for their school assignments. In addition, Langer and Applebee (as cited in Smit,n.d.) reported, “two-thirds of students in Grade 8, for example, are expected to spend an houror less on writing for homework each week, and 40% of twelfth graders report never or
hardly ever been asked to write a paper of 3 pages or more” (p. 1-2). Therefore, these two

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4pieces of data above show that frequency for teenagers using longer forms of writing is low.
Furthermore, the phrase “longer forms of writing” in this essay means a text
composed of three parts: the reason for writing; the opinion; and the support for the opinions.
For example, essays, formal mail in business, newspaper articles, several blog articles, andreports are included. On the other hand, “shorter forms of writing” means texts which only
include some parts of the above composition; for instance, chats or private mail sent to aperson with whom you are intimate. In addition, this essay will focus on young English
speakers, especially teenagers who are receiving general education.
As it is mentioned above, there are few opportunities for teenagers to use detailed
writing. Specifically, teenagers only use complicated forms when they are asked to write an
essay at school. However, teenagers should practice longer forms of writing more frequently,
because it helps them earn skills which will be useful in the workplace.
Developing skills which are useful in the workplace is important. This is because
these skills will help people succeed in the workplace. Some of those skills are“communication, organizational, computer, interpersonal, analytical, leadership, problem
solving, time management, mathematical and professional skills” (para. 1) as Johnson &Wales University (JWU) (n.d.) listed in the “Top 10 Valued Workplace Skills”. Out of theseA SUGGESTION FOR TEENAGERS

5abilities, this essay will focus on two: analytical skills and communication skills. Since it
assists people earning analytical and communication knowledge, teenagers should use longerforms of writing.
Analytical Skills
First, analytical skills are some of the abilities which people can enhance by using
longer forms of writing. According to JWU (n.d.), analytical skills include “understandingand making logical arguments” (para. 5). This means that logical thinking is closely relatedwith analytical skills. Logical thinking helps people earn analytical skills from a number ofperspectives; first of all, it allows them to grasp the connection of each subject and develop
new ideas from the information. In addition, according to Strydom (n.d.), logical thinking
skills help people predict the future from each cause and consequence. Since predicting thefuture from the current situation is the good of analyzing things, this is also an aspect whichleads people earning analytical skills. Therefore, developing logical thinking will help people
enhance analytical skills.
According to Trimble (2011), writers should avoid egocentrism in writing. Thismeans that writing requires objective sources such as figures or facts to support thearguments. Moreover, as it is defined, longer forms of writing include many points such as

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6the reason for writing, the opinion, and the support for the opinions. Thus, since there are lotsof objective sources and points included in longer forms of writing, longer forms of writingneed to be organized to make the arguments clear. According to Minto (1995), logicalthinking helps people categorize their ideas and make their writings compact and clear.
Inothe words, logical thinking is practiced while categorizing ideas.
Furthermore, logical thinking also helps people make a clear connection betweenpoints. Ling (2010) says that logical thinking is especially important for writing academic
essays because knowing the connection between ideas is important. In other words, logicalthinking is required in longer forms of writing when connecting information in the correct
way. This means that people can develop their logical thinking by using longer forms ofwriting.
In order to show their accuracy for their work, people mostly required to show theirbasis and evidence. People need to analyze the source texts and choose the right information
to use to do this. Therefore, earning analytical skills are valued in the workplace.
Thus, using longer forms of writing develop people’s logical thinking, and this will
also enhance their analytical skills.

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7Communication Skills
Secondly, people can learn Standard English, and enhance their communication
skills by using detailed forms. The phrase “Standard English” in this essay refers to English
which are normally written in English text books.
Communication skills, especially using Standard English, is important in theworkplace. This is because workers have responsibilities to prevent mistakes and damage totheir workplace. One of the causes of mistakes in the workplace is miscommunications. Thiscould also happen in written communication. Trimble (2011) states that people need to writewith accurate spelling and grammar. This is because inaccuracy will confuse the reader andmake them have incorrect information. Ali, Khan, Akunjee, and Ahfat (2006) report that lotsof abbreviations used by an oculist are misunderstood by general doctors. In fact, only 16.7%
of general doctors knew that the abbreviation PVD stands for posterior vitreous detachment.
Ali, et al. (2006) conclude that these misunderstandings confuse doctors and patients.
Misundestandings in a workplace such as this might develop into a matter of life and death.
Therefore, it is important to be able to use Standard English to prevent mistakes in theworkplace.
In addition, since there is a wide range of people in the workplace, people need toA SUGGESTION FOR TEENAGERS

8communicate with a common language in order to be able to communicate with everyone.
For English speakers, Standard English is one of the most common languages, which
everyone can use. Thus, communication skills, especially using Standard English areimportant in the workplace, because it allows people to contact a wide range of people.
Furthermore, RMN Global Search (2013) reports “those who had not achieved director-level
positions within the 10 year span [of the study] made 2.5 times as many grammaticalmistakes” (para. 2). This means that use of Standard English is directly related to people’s
success in the workplace.
Communication skills using Standard English can be practiced by using longer
forms of writing. Since it is likely to be read publicly, the use of Standard English is requiredin longer forms of writing. On the other hand, shorter forms of writing are likely to be read
privately. In most occasions, shorter forms of writing are read by people who have close
relationships with the writer. People do not need to care so much about accuracy of theirlanguage in order to read or write shorter forms of writing. This is because people can easily
correct their mistakes. Also, most of these miscommunications between people who haveclose relationships do not relate to damage their workplace. Since most teenagers only haveprivate connections, they are likely to use shorter forms of writing as well as informal

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9English. For instance, teenagers use abbreviations such as OMG (oh my god) or 2moro(tommorow). According to Wyden (2013), teenagers use abbreviations simply because they
can send messages to their friends faster. As there are people who do not know the meaningof the abbreviation, miscommunication occurs frequently. Although, most of the time
teenagers do not care, since miscommunications can easily be solved. However, people willnot learn Standard English this way. Therefore, people need to practice longer forms ofwriting in order to learn Standard English.
In addition, since people need to write more when they are using longer forms ofwriting, there are more chances for people to make mistakes in the text. Thus, people have ahigher chance to find and fix their English. This means that using longer forms of writing is agood opportunity for people to practice their English techniques and enhance theircommunication skills.
To conclude, communication skills using Standard English are important skills inthe workplace. To earn these skills people should practice longer forms of writing. Using
extensive forms of writing is valuable for people to improve writing knowledge.
Importance of Practicing Using Longer Forms of Writing During Teenage Years
Analytical and communication skills are two skills that are useful in jobs, and theseA SUGGESTION FOR TEENAGERS

10two skills can be enhanced by practicing using longer forms of writing. Furthermore, people
should earn and practice these skills during their teenage years. The reason for this is because
it is easier for teenagers to make time for practicing complicated writing compared to adults.
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012), 15 to 19 years old teenagers spend
1.42hr more per day for leisure and sports activities compared with 25 to 34 years old adults.
Therefore, teenagers can use this time for practicing longer forms of writing.
However, the issue is that teenagers these days do not care about earning theseskills so much. In most cases, many students do not realize the value of learning Standard
English. In other words, teenagers do not think seriously about importance of using accurate
formal English. “50% of teens say they sometimes use informal writing styles instead ofproper capitalization and punctuation in their school assignments” and “38% say they haveused text shortcuts in school work such as LOL [this stands for laugh out loud]”(Lenhart et al.,2008, p. 2). As mentioned before, use of abbreviations will make people misunderstandinformation, which may lead to mistakes. This specific problem will happen when teenagers
become adults. Therefore, teenagers these days need to change their mind and use longer
forms of writing for their future.

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11Conclusion
In conclusion, teenagers are likely to write shorter forms of writing because it iseasier for them. However, it is important for teenage English speakers to use longer forms ofwriting, because they can practice and earn analytical and communication skills which areuseful in the workplace. It is especially important for teenagers to do this because it is easierto practice during the teenage period rather than after entering the workplace. As a result, it isnecessary for teenagers speaking English to practice longer forms of writing in order to earn
useful skills in the workplace and to succeed in the future.

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12References
Ali, A., Khan, A.A., Akunjee, M., & Ahfat, F. (2006). Using common ophthalmologic jargon
in correspondence can lead to miscommunication. The British Journal of General
Practice, 56(533), 968–969. Retrieved on August 10, 2013, from http://www.ncbi.
nlm.nih.gov/
Johnson & Wales University. (n.d.). Top 10 Valued Workplace Skills. Retrieved on August 10,2013, from http://www.jwu.edu/uploadedFiles/Documents/Alumni/JWUTopWorkSkills.pdf
Lenhart, A., Arafeh, S., Smith, A., & Macgill, R.A. (2008, April 24). Writing,Technology and Teens. Retrieved on August 10, 2013, from Pew Internet & American
Life Project website: www.pewinternet.org/~/media/Files/Reports/2008/
PIP_Writing_Report_FINAL3.pdf.pdf

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13Ling, W. L. (2010). A New Approach To Teaching Academic Writing: How
philosophers can contribute to educating young scientists. Journal of the Graduate
School of Letters, 5, 81-87. Retrieved on August 10, 2013, from http://eprints.lib.
hokudai.ac.jp
Minto, B. (1995). The Pyramid Principle: Logic in Writing and Thinking (2nd ed.). UK:
Financial Times Management.
RMN Global Search. (2013, April 24). Good Grammar in the Workplace. Retrieved on
August 10, 2013, from http://rmnglobalsearch.com/legal-advice/good-grammar-in-the-workplace/
Smit, D. (n.d.). Strategies to Improve Student Writing. IDEA Papers #48. Retrieved on
August 10, 2013, from http://www.theideacenter.org
Strydom, J. (n.d.). Logical Thinking: An Indispensable Skill. Retrieved on August 10, 2013,
from http://www.audiblox2000.com/logical-thinking-3.htm
Trimble, R. J. (2011). Writing with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing (3rd ed). UnitedStates: Pearson Education, Inc.

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U.S. ureau of Labor Statistics. (2012). Time spent in leisure and sports activities for thecivilian population by selected characteristics. 2012 annual averages. Retrieved onAugust 10, 2013, from http://www.bls.gov
Wyden, V.G. (2013, May 17). Text Acronyms for Teenagers. Retrieved on August 10, 2013,
from http://www.livestrong.com

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