Speaking their language, or dumbing it down? In a recent post entitled “Why the Hunger Games is the Future of Writing,” writer and blogger Jeff Goins claims that “We live in a world of distractions. Not surprisingly, most people are reading at the attention level of a sixth grader.” As a teacher, I’m torn in two directions when considering adapting my language for high school students who are reading at a sixth grade level.
To be clear, I love The Hunger Games trilogy and think Collins did a fantastic job writing for the masses. Goins is right, when writing for mass populations of people it’s important to speak simply, and be concise. When people are reading for pleasure or looking for info on the web, they want their information or entertainment to come to them without laborious thought. Goins claims that “the burden of proof has shifted. |
Now, shorter is better, because it means the reader will actually stay engaged.” This is abundantly true. Look at how you communicate: the average teenager sends 60 text messages a day, and Twitter, which I’ll use to promote this blog, allows 140 characters per message. Short is sweet. Textual features like bolding your point and emoticons help too ;).
If simplifying things is effective writing for 21st century audiences, what’s the conflict? As you know, I’m a teacher, and I don’t want you to be stupid, or sound stupid either. In an academic or university level class, I expect that when students come across diction they don’t understand, they look it up. In a world of accessible information, you literally have the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in your pocket or purse. | I don’t want you to be stupid, or sound stupid either. |
You can get on your phone and you have tons of options for finding a definition at your fingertips. You can get a dictionary app, go to dictionary.com, or even text Google (466453) and say: define __________, and they’ll text you back with a definition! Simply put, students, you’re out of excuses (and don’t worry, I’ve got those dusty dictionaries if your battery is dead).
The ultimate goal is self-sufficiency. The independent, self-directed learner who knows the resources available to them has an inherent leverage over his or her peers. In the Future Forum’s Project, we’re inviting technology into the classroom to create self-directed students, who, with the aid of the internet, have no limits. So the reason I don’t dumb it down for my students is so they learn to take initiative and responsibility of your own learning. Hopefully they’ll be able to surpass the “grade 6 thought level,” while understanding its value in connecting with audiences.