1. Technology's effect on Literacy
Technology has lead to a decline of
literary skills

2. Reading & Internet
Through the rise of technology we are reading less and looking more. This has lead to a drop in
critical thinking as well as vocabulary. Technology will replace our current literacy with
one dependent on computers. Although there still will be a form of literacy the individuals
will suffer from the loss of skills. This is seen in the decrease of skills in the workplace. If
this increases steadily it could effect us adversely in the future. What it may come to is a
generation of people who have difficulty communicating with others in a way that clearly
gets their point across. In the next 20-30 years what we deem literacy may shift entirely to
the point where all the skills we have now are ancient history. This isn't too hard to
imagine as it has happened many times as we move from era to era. As we are going
through these changes the loss of these skills are already hindering society and the
workplace too an extent. There's a loss of true professionals in a literal sense and as this
current generation progresses in technology that loss may increase.

3. Grammar & Internet
Refuting this statement: "Technology (through television, texting, Facebook posting, and the
Internet), has contributed to an increase in literacy skills."
 I think this statement is false base on my experience and the research I did on the internet. One
problem is proper grammar is not being use when you are texting or Facebook posting. What
being use is Cyber slang which is shortcuts, alternative words, or even symbols to communicate
their thoughts.(Find in article call Education World: Does Texting Harm Students' Writing Skills?)
They do not know proper punctuation and apostrophe which they teach in elementary or primary
school and build on through out their life.
 What this could lead to is a generation of people that not only use this on the internet but also in
their daily lives. This could make it harder for people to communicate with one another on a
professional level.

4. Figures & Facts
 A recent study of more than 700 low-income, mostly Hispanic and black sixth through 10th graders in
Detroit found that those students read more on the Web than in any other medium, though they also
read books. The only kind of reading that related to higher academic performance was frequent novel
reading, which predicted better grades in English class and higher overall grade point averages.
 Survey of 35,000 pupils finds majority of youngsters now read on screen. Ebooks also reducing the
number of children who enjoy reading as a pastime
 'Children who only read on-screen are significantly less likely to enjoy reading and less likely to be
strong readers', National Literacy Trust says
 52 per cent of children preferred to read on an electronic device. 32 per cent said they would rather read
a physical book.
 12 per cent of those who read using new technology said they really enjoyed reading,
 Those who read printed texts were almost twice as likely to have above-average reading skills as those
who read on screens every day.
 Young people reading newspapers has fallen from 46.8 per cent in 2005 to 31.2 per cent in 2012.

5. Conclusion
 From these facts we can gather that reading from actual books and literary works leads to an increases in literary
skills. The use of technology to do so is only hampering these skills and is not leading to more kids enjoying
reading. In fact, the only thing they enjoy reading is what they look up on the internet.
 From this lack of reading true literacy we get a lack of comprehensive skills. Skills that are necessary in the
workplace. This lack of skills could result in being a danger to society if it increases
 The increase of texting and facebooking along with other social media outlets like twitter is a catalyst to a decline
in grammar. Shortcut writing is beginning to become second nature and its even effecting the way some of us
speak to one other. This could end up becoming the norm to a generation that will soon have to lead the way for
the up and comers.
 Thank you for reading. This is our debate refuting the statement that technology has lead to an increase of literary
skills.