1. Some phrases and words typical of academic writing in the presentation are:
- "emergent complexity"
- "traditional estimates"
- "word packets"
- "bleed between speech and writing"
- "logical follow"
- "general bagginess"
- "lack of concern with rules"
The text also uses an objective tone, presents a logical argument, and contains references to sources of information (e.g. linguists, Edward Gibbon's "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," the Gettysburg Address).
2. This presentation challenges the belief that texting is a threat to literacy and writing skills among young people. The speaker argues that texting is not writing but rather a form of speech. Writing is much less likely to replicate the casual speech of everyday conversation. Texting is considered "fingered speech" and offers a type of emergent complexity. The presentation suggests that texting enables people to write in the way they speak, which is a valuable form of communication. In summary, the presentation promotes the idea that texting is an important means of communication and should not be viewed as a threat to serious writing and literacy.