Communication is surrounds us, Palmquist refers to communication as just about every form of text or speech. From lectures to text messages, communication is something that helps people daily. I found it interesting how the author goes into how simple text messages can actually improve our writing ability. Technology has had a tremendous impact on society in the last century. Our method of communication is probably the one aspect of everyday life that has been enhanced the most. Social media networks have gave way to mass marketing and has made it easier for people to stay connected with friends and family. This technological advancement has been so grand that, from my perspective, is beginning to have some negative effects on peoples literacy skills and verbal output. Using abbreviations such as FWIW, OMG, or LOL in an essay might go over just about as well as writing “In summary, the available evidence suggests” in a text message. (6) This excerpt from chapter one actually made me realize that, mainly in younger people, the formality of their writing is decreasing because of the dependency they have on technology. It is just more convenient to write “IDK” than the actual phrase to them. From reading these first few pages of Palmquist’s book, I have become curious to know and test to see if by treating every conversation with the same academic formality one can truly improve their ability to write. This idea sounds probable because it makes sense to view every conversation as form of writing since the same approach is taken regardless of it is in writing or oral. (269) (Ex: pg 4-5) “You Already Know How Conversations Work – Online or off” • Read about a topic before you write about it (just as you’d listen for a while before speakin) • Think carefully about what you’ve read (just as you’d think carefully about what you had just heard) • Acknowledge what other writers have added to the written conversation you’ve decided to join • Add something new to the conversation