Comments on: Regarding writing style when messaging instantly

By: Calvin Robinson

Calvin Robinson — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:33:37 +0000

Tricky one. I try to talk/type properly, but most of the time my IM text gets simplified. I don’t use “h8″ and “2moro”, but I do use a hell of a lot of abbreviations. BRB lol wtf tbh imo iirc afaik etc.

By: Devlin

Devlin — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:35:42 +0000

I always send IM messages as if I’m writing a paper or letter to someone. I can’t stand people that reply with the same structure as above.

I’m the exact same. When using text messages I usually use your second example though, with no capitalization, though sometimes I use punctuation. It depends on if I’m in a rush or not.

By: Eliza

Eliza — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:38:45 +0000

lol. Just kidding. Great post.

By: Colin Devroe

Colin Devroe — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:10:34 +0000

Sameer: I never use abbreviations or net lingo. I have a special place on my “hate list” for lol.

By: Sameer

Sameer — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 21:41:36 +0000

I tend to use longer sentences like your second example, but with punctuation. I hardly ever use capitals though. One thing I try to do is spell words correctly. That is something that starts to bother me while writing. lol, 2moro, tho, u — things like those drive me nuts.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:24:10 +0000

You must not chat with Stammy too often then

I think the style I employ for IMing really depends on the age group of the person I’m messaging with. I probably use the first style you mentioned a lot with my friends from my generation — I guess growing up with text messaging and always-online AIM changed the way we communicate with each other.

Otherwise, I just try and cram a rational thought into each message. Just like I would in every day conversation.

By: Matt Campbell

Matt Campbell — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:47:14 +0000

I always send IM messages as if I’m writing a paper or letter to someone. I can’t stand people that reply with the same structure as above.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:01:22 +0000

I try my best to punctuate and spell things correctly, but capitalization is something that varies. If I’m typing something really fast, I’ll usually forgo capitalizing, but if I have to time to think out what I’m writing, I’ll capitalize.

However, depending on who it is I’m talking to, I’ll also change my style. If I really want to make a good impression, I always take the time to think out my messages, but if it’s someone I’ve known for a while, it’s more “stream of consciousness”-style writing.

By: Josiah

Josiah — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:59:38 +0000

For me, my IM style is very dependent on the conversation topic. Some things just break naturally into burst-style messages. For more serious discussion, if I’m giving weighty advice, consulting on an important project, etc. I tend to be a little more formal and send larger blocks of text with more carefully considered lines of thought contained within them. (But then I usually tend to escalate those types of discussions to email or phone/in-person - I don’t like IM for anything more than informal conversation.)

My $0.02.

-Josiah