INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

THE STUDY OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF MESSAGE BOARD LANGUAGE: BETWEEN SPOKEN AND WRITTEN LANGUAGE.

PREPARED BY:

NURUL AFIQAH BT JOHARI 0929460

NUR AWATIF BINTI ZULKIFLI 0928026

ROSATIQAH BT YAHYA 0922636

SITI KHADIJAH BINTI OMAR 0929538

INTRODUCTION

This paper examines the relationship between spoken and written language in one of

the computer- mediated communication system which is Yahoo! and Google Message Board.

According to Wikipedia, “A bulletin board is a surface for posting of public message, for

example, to advertise items wanted for sale, announce events or provide information”.

Bulletin board is typically used by clubs and organizations. Its function is to provide any

update or information to the member of the bulletin board. Bulletin board has become one of

the asynchronous computer-mediated communications which connect the contributors of the

message on the board with other people. Online bulletin board provides bigger use to people

where it is often known as a message board. According to Wikipedia “the term bulletin

board, message board and even Internet forum are interchangeable although often one

bulletin board or message board can contain a number of Internet forums or discussion

groups”. Hence, due to the modern communication system, the differences between the three

are quite abstract. Online bulletin board can function more than the traditional bulletin board

which can only provide information to the reader, because of the existence of internet forum

that allow two way communications between the writers and the readers. Computer-mediated

communication (CMC) introduces the new medium of discourse which combines both the

spoken and written language. The traditional distinction between spoken and written

discourse cannot be seen in CMC. This is because CMC allows people to communicate with

other people informally and it encourages the use of spoken language in written form.

Significance of the Study

The aim of this study is to analyze the features of the language used in Yahoo! and

Google Message Board in term of its medium of discourse. It is to investigate the existence of

the duality features of CMC which is said as in between spoken and written discourse. In

addition to that, this research also aims at pointing out the possible reasons behind the

language used in Bulletin Board or Message Board.

Research Questions

1) Why computer-mediated communication is in between spoken and written form?

2) What are the features of the language used in CMC (Bulletin/Message Boards)?

LITERATURE REVIEW

Many researches have been conducted in the area of computer mediated

communication regarding the language used. One important theme of these researches is to

examine the features of the language used in CMC which fall between spoken and written

quality.

Marques (2008) investigated the characteristics of the language used and how spoken

and written features were fused together in an email. He analyzed corpus consists of a sample

of two hundred and ten emails written by undergraduate students of School of Technology

and Management between January 2005 and July 2007. The corpus was analyzed in term of

mode, tenor and field and was analyzed qualitatively where the percentage of different

salutation and closing are calculated. The findings showed that the emails share

characteristics of the two extremes and works in a general continuum between spoken and

written language.

Pardubova (2006) explored how language is used within asynchronous computer

mediated communication focusing on emails. The email corpus consists of 27 emails from

native speakers mostly from the United Kingdom to their Czech friends. This study

investigated some typical features of language used in emails and found out some differences

and resemblances between the spoken norm of language and language of emails as well as

the written norm of language and language of emails. He looked at the prosody, paralinguistic

features such as emoticons, color choices, capitalization or punctuation, Lexis, lexical

density, type-token ratio, frequency of words, email vocabulary and syntactic features such as

ellipsis. The findings have revealed that the boundaries between speech and writing against

background of text-based CMC are indistinguishable.

Indrova (2011) examined the communication via online discussion forums as a kind

of text-based computer-mediated communication exists between spoken and written

communication. He analyzed his corpus in term of word formation such as acronyms and

initialism; paralinguistics features; and language featuring incorrect grammar such as

misspellings. He found that the language of online discussion forums can be defined quite

vaguely as it really stands somewhere between speech and writing.

Jettka (2010) evaluated the characterization of synchronous chat in relation to written

and spoken discourse. He examined the lexis, grammar, orthography as well as turn taking

and discourse structure. As the finding illustrated varied result and the observation of

numerous and different factors for the linguistic appearance of chat, the examination

explained that it is not possible to give a general categorisation. Although the result exhibited

that synchronous chat tends to be conceptually related to spoken discourse, obviously the

different form of conversation of face to face and chat communication, this will never allow

for a really spoken-like use of language in chat. He concluded that synchronous chat may be

considered conceptually very close to spoken discourse, but due to the restriction of its

technical realization via writing (typing) it remains related to written discourse.

Marques (2008), Pardubova (2006), Indrova (2011), and Jettka (2010) all agreed that

the language used in CMC is in between the two continuums of spoken and written language.

In this research paper, the corpus collected from Yahoo Message Board is analyzed by

looking at categories taken from these researchers such as Pardubova’s and Indrova’s

paralinguistics features, vocabulary and structures as well as Omniglot the online

encyclopedia of writing systems and language in term of conciseness and grammar. This

Omniglot website provides the differences between the spoken and writing discourse which

are used as the foundation of the analysis for this research paper. For more information

regarding the characteristics of spoken and written discourse, this paper refers to the

differences between Written and Spoken Language article retrieved from the Articlebase

website.

METHODOLOGY

The researchers had randomly chosen the raw data taken from Yahoo! and Google

Message Board. The corpus length is about 5 pages which all belong to one of the browse

topics listed in Yahoo! And Google Message Boards which are Recreation and Sport.

However, the feedbacks of people from the message left by people were not included in this

study. The samples were actually taken from the original message posted by random people.

Recreation and Sports were chosen because it is considered as an interesting field of

discussion which is discussed by all people around the world. Most people are very

enthusiastic in sport and recreational activities especially the men. Besides, Islam also

encourages people to do sports and to be healthy.

Before analyzing the data, the researchers had listed the features of spoken and

written language. This list consists of several characteristics of spoken and written language

that the researchers find significant for the purpose of the analysis. This list is made up of

several characteristics taken from several articles such as research done by Pardubova (2006)

and Indrova (2011) as well as article retrieved from websites such as Omniglot the online

encyclopedia of writing systems and language as well as articles entitled Differences between

Written and Spoken Language retrieved from the Articlebase website. The analysis was done

in a way where the features of spoken and written language were tabulated and the corpus

was divided according to features and inserted into different categories respectively. Because

the researchers found that one sentence can be put into many categories, the researchers had

decided to choose the sentence randomly and choose only one category that is most suitable

in order to avoid any repetition of examples. However, the analyzed data were counted only

based on the number of examples in each category. After the data had been sorted out

according to the features, the finding of the analysis was discussed while considering the

possible reasons for the language used in the discussion part.

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

After analyzing the data, the researchers have managed to prove the existence of both

spoken and written features in asynchronous computer-mediated communication (CMC)

specifically taken from Yahoo! and Google Message Board. The researchers found that

apparently, spoken language is used more frequently than written language. This might be

because people tend to be informal in the Message Board. Nonetheless, as mentioned before,

the researchers had decided to choose the most suitable category for each sentence though

most of the sentences are actually can be put into many categories. The first feature to be

discussed on is vocabulary. The result shows that Message Boards contain both dense and

less dense vocabularies. Besides, the use of interactive expression such as ‘well’ and ‘y’all’

shows the intention of the writers to be casual as in speaking form. In contrast, the researcher

also have found some dense vocabulary such as ‘diversify’ and ‘domesticate’ which are

typically used in written language.

In terms of sentence structure, spoken discourse is characterized as short and simple

compared to written discourse which the sentence usually long and complex. This is due to

the fact that CMC allows writers to compose and organize their ideas, take time to write and

edit on the other hand being spontaneous and simple as in spoken discourse.

In the meantime, attitude of people in spoken discourse can be seen through

intonation, pitch and stress. However, as this study entails the written mode of

communication only, the use of emoticons, capital letters, fillers and punctuations are

examined to substitute intonation, pitch and stress as it reflects the writer’s attitude. In the

category of written discourse, this study focuses on the choice of words that reflect the

writers’ attitude. The result shows that in term of spoken discourse, capitalizations are used to

show that the writers want to emphasize some of their ideas such as “… ROCK

CLIMBING!”, “… ENTIRE…”, “ I'm SAVING UP TO 90% on MY…”. In the meantime,

fillers such as ‘hmmmmm…’are used to show hesitation or the situation where the writers are

thinking about something. Fillers are usually found in spoken discourse, however, it has also

been used in message board with the same reason. Furthermore, besides to show hesitation,

pauses also have been used when the writers do not want to complete their sentence in order

to make it looks catchy and simple like in ‘Its all part of the USA Vintage Trailer

Network...Linking all 50 states” .Other than that, emoticons are used to show the writers’

feelings or attitude towards something. For instance, “… two bikes : P”, and “Thanks a

lot :)”. The smiley emoticon used may indicate that the writers want to show that they are

very happy and appreciate anyone who helps him as the smiley is added after the phrase

“Thanks a lot”. Punctuation as in “Join your state group today!!!” is used to show the high

intonation in speaking form in order to emphasize on the message.

As for the written discourse, the attitude can be seen through the choice of words the

writers used. For example, “If you’ve got a minute and would like to vote it would really help

me out” and the use of “please” demonstrate that the writers’ attitude is positive and pleasant

as they use subtle expression so that readers do not feel forced to do it because of the

conditional word ‘If’. Whereas, negative attitude towards something can be observed through

the harsh words used such as "… Crushing" Ritual” and ‘brutal crush’.

Moreover, in terms of conciseness, spoken discourse usually has repetition whereas

written discourse generally emphasis preciseness and directness. For instance, “All 50 state

groups of the Vintage Network are easy to find and easy to join”, and “We are proud of the

impact motorcyclists have had on vision research, We are proud of my personal fundraising

efforts for vision research” contain the repetition of words as what people do during they

speak. The repetition shows that although the messages were written down, the writer can be

informal by using the daily spoken language structure. Whereas, “Please forward this

message to animal lovers around the world” and “She's an outspoken critic of the crush” are

examples of written discourse which they are precise and direct without any interruption or

repetition.

Grammar is another part of the analysis which can prove the existence of both spoken

and written language used in Message Board. In contrast with the written language which

typically uses complex grammar, spoken language are usually contains many contractions,

ellipsis and pronoun. Contractions and ellipsis are used to make the spoken language easier

and shorter, hence, it has been applied to the written form with the same intention. Ellipsis

happen when something is ‘missing’ from a sentence which makes the sentence sounds

incomplete but actually it can still be understood by referring to its previous sentence or the

context. For example, ‘illegal here in Alabama but not in Mississippi or Florida’ is one of the

sentences taken from the data which its full sentence might be ‘It is illegal here in Alabama

but not in Mississippi or Florida’. The use of lot of pronouns is another feature of spoken

discourse which can be found in the corpus. Pronouns are used to bring the sense of

casualness and closeness by reducing the distance between the writers and the readers.

In order for the writers to make their messages look informal and close to the reader

they need to use the spoken language which is informal. In the meantime, some of the writers

also did not forget the nature of written language which uses proper grammar to show

politeness as in ‘Have you ever given up your own time for someone else?’ and ‘Will you or

someone you know do any traveling this year?’. The grammar used can be considered as

formal because they can be usually found in written language only because people do not

usually speak this kind of sentences.

As a whole, the researchers found that although CMC specifically , Message Boa,

consist of two modes of discourse which are spoken and written discourse. Compared to the

formal written language, CMC allows the readers to be more casual in writing. Hence, the

casualty leads to the use of spoken language in written form. However, it depends on the

writers to choose the language they want to use in CMC as long as the messages are

conveyed. The coexistence between spoken and written features in CMC proves that modern

communication system has brought a new mode of discourse that questioning the traditional

concept of writing.

CONCLUSION

Throughout the research, it has been proven that CMC is standing in between spoken

and written language. The nature of CMC which allows the writers to be informal gives the

opportunity for them to use the spoken language in written form. However, the use of the

written language and structure of CMC cannot be denied because writers are usually still a

concern with the writing format features which lead towards the tendency of using dense

vocabularies, complex sentence structure, precise and direct sentence and complex grammar.

Besides, when writing messages people can be aware and cautions on the choice of words

they use because writing can be planned, edited and organized though it uses the spoken

language. Writing messages needs the writer to observe the cohesiveness between the

sentences in order to make people understand it. After all, the mode of language used in CMC

is always depends on the context and the purpose of the writer.

REFERENCES

Articlebase. Differences between Written and Spoken Language. (2010). Retrieved from http://www/articlesbase.com/education-articles/difference-between-written-and-spoken-language-1980929.html

Indrova, T. (2011). Spoken, Written and Computer-Mediated Communication: The Language of Online Discussion Forums. Retrieved from http://is.muni.cz/th/331015/ff_b/Indrova_Tereza-Spoken_Written_and_Computer-Mediated_Communication.pdf

Jettke, D. (2010). Speaking through the Keyboard? The Characterisation of Synchronous Chat in the Continuum of Spoken and Written Discourse. Retrieved from http://www.daniel-jettka.de/pdf/JETTKA-Speaking_through_the_keyboard.pdf

Marques, G. (2008). Establishing a Continuum in Spoken and Written Language in Student Emails. Systemic Functional Linguistics in Use, OWPLC vol. 29, retrieved from http://static.sdu.dk/mediafiles//Files/Om_SDU/Instituter/ISK/Forskningspublikationer/OWPLC/Nr29/Gorete%20Marques.pdf

Omniglot the online encyclopedia of writing systems & language. Differences between Writing and Speech. Retrieved from http://www.omniglot.com/writing/writingvspeech.htm.

Pardubova, K. (2006). Language of the Emails: Forms of Spoken and Written Language. Retrieved from http://is.muni.cz/th/106701/ff_b/Bakalarska_prace._Language_of_the_Emails.pdf

Wikipedia. Bulletin Board.Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulletin_board

APPENDIX. (A)

1) Join The Adventure         3-Mar-09 02:09 pm       

Have you ever given up your own time for someone else?Have you ever volunteered?Do you need more on your CV?

Well the Scout Association are looking for volunteers.

Showing that you've volunteered for something shows employers that you're able to diversify yourself and spend time on others.

You don't have to volunteer every week, you can choose to show up for just events like rafting and quad-biking or ROCK CLIMBING!

If you're interested in finding out more information, you can request an information pack with all the details you'll need, fromhttp://www.jointheadventure.com and you won't be obliged to sign up!

2) 50 State Vintage Trailers Groups        16-Jan-07 02:22 am       

All 50 state groups of the Vintage Network are easy to find and easy to join.Its all part of the USA Vintage Trailer Network...Linking all 50 states.A good way to meet old friends and make some new ones...Join your state group today!!!Linking owners of various regions and home states to help each other in our travel and rally plans.We welcome owners and lovers of all vintage campers and trailers regardless of make, model,or brands like Airfloat,Airstream,Aero Flite, Aeroflite ,Alcoa, Aljo,Aljoa,Aladdin,Alma,Aristo crat,Boles Aero,Cardi,Cardinal,DeCamp,El Rey,Elcar,Fan,Fireball,Forrest er,Geographic,Crown Avion,Fan,Fleetwheels,Bowlus,Cabin Car,Curtiss,Curtis Wright,Palace,Covered Wagon,Glider,Halsco,Indian,Nat ional,Roycraft, Silverdome,Silver Streak,Kit,Liberty,Lintzcraft, Schult,Serro Scotty,Sportcraft,Vagabond,Wes tcraft,Holly,Kenskill,Ken-Craf t,Main Line,Mobile,M-System,Metzendor f,Boles Aero,Pierce Arrow,Oasis, Royal,Shasta,Spartan,Spartanet te,Streamline,Trotwood,Vagabond,Westcraft, Westwood,Wright,Zimmer,Kit,tear drop campers just to name a few....Its free to join...So join today.A good way to meet old friends and make some new ones...Join your state group today!!!

Links to all 50 state Vintage Trailers Groups.http://take-me-to-the-state-groups.blogs...

3) Speed Limits on lakes        11-Jun-09 02:34 am       

I was just curious, I went to Chapman lake in Spokane County Washington and read signs which looked like the "resort" owner made which says the speed limit on the ENTIRE lake is 5 MPH. My question: is he allowed to make the speed limit for the entire lake or did some athority figure make him post it.

4) Poll: What is the best city in the world? Round 1        26-May-12 09:36 pm       

Hey everybody, I’m conducting a poll for my Tourism Marketing class project.

I’m trying to get a good survey of people who frequent travel message boards to

share their opinions as to what they believe to be the ‘best’ city in the world.

If you’ve got a minute and would like to vote it would really help me out.

If your favorite city doesn’t appear as an option, don’t worry it will most likely show up in Rounds 2-4

(I’m kind of running the poll ‘tournament tree’ style). Thanks a lot :) 

- Sean

Round 1: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/6H9Z8Y5

5) Thailand's Barbaric Elephant "Training"        10-Sep-07 01:43 am       

Thailand's Elephant "Crushing" Ritual 

It's a sound not easily forgotten. Just before dawn in the remote highlands of northern Thailand, west of the village Mae Jaem, a four-year-old elephant bellows as seven village men stab nails into her ears and feet. She is tied up and immobilized in a small, wooden cage. Her cries are the only sounds to interrupt the otherwise quiet countryside. The cage is called a "training crush." It's the centerpiece of a centuries-old ritual in northern Thailand designed to domesticate young elephants. In addition to beatings, handlers use sleep-deprivation, hunger, and thirst to "break" the elephants' spirit and make them submissive to their owners. 

"The people believe that to control the animal they have to do something to make the elephant feel fear and pain," said Sangduen "Lek" Chailert, a well-known Chiang-Mai-based activist who runs Jumbo Express, a program bringing free veterinary care to these animals. She's an outspoken critic of the crush. 

Video at http://www.helpthaielephants.com/ 

What can you do ?

Please support http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/ . Remember that even a small donation can go a long way in Thailand. 

Elephant Heaven is a sanctuary for abused elephants run by Lek Chailert, a well-known Chiang Mai-based activist who constantly campaigns on their behalf. Her exposure of the brutal crush and her conservation campaign has raised international awareness and also provoked local resistance. 

More about Elephant Heaven :

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/... 

http://www.time.com/time/asia/2005/heroe... 

Please forward this message to animal lovers around the world.

Do not support this practice by visiting elephant camps where the elephants "do tricks" !

6) Save up to 90% on your next vacation!        26-Nov-07 09:56 am       

Will you or someone you know do any traveling this year? 

I'm SAVING UP TO 90% on MY vacations, how about you? 

Take a look at some of the benefits: • We have a private network with well over 5,000+ 4-5 star global resort destinations to choose from. • Our staff will find a location for you, or you can request one that is not in the network. • We offer Unlimited Hot Weeks for just $298.00, which includes 8 days / 7 nights. • And take advantage of our Unlimited NO Blackout dates, with rates No Higher than $699.00, which includes 8 days / 7 nights. • Even your Friends and Family can go as well, with free passes annually, all at the same rates members pay. 

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7) The fan risk of racing        24-Feb-13 09:20 am       

They keep saying on Raceday that the fans should expect their safety at race tracks.

Race tracks are, and have always been, a dangerous environment, even for the fans.

People need to realize that, although not as dangerous as on track, being at a race track is a dangerous place and one should never drop their guard.

It's like working in the pits/garage areas, you need to be on your toes and totally aware of your surroundings at all times. It's too easy to get hit by a car or any number of other objects. Fires can break out easily.

A mistake can mean your life or limb.

Fans need to remember that they can not expect total safety when they walk in the gate at ANY race track. Stuff happens and all it takes is being in the right place at the right time for it to find you.

That said, it is obvious that there is much more that can be done to lower the chances of fans being injured at races.

Baseball put up giant nets behind home plate, yet those seats are always full. Hmmmmmmmm...

Where there's a will, there's a way.

8) Ride For Sight        20-Apr-05 01:16 am       

Ride for Sight ...because I can!

Did you know - Motorcyclists are best fundraisers for vision research!

We have been participating in Ride for Sight for many years. We are proud of the impact motorcyclists have had on vision research, We are proud of my personal fundraising efforts for vision research.

While government funding to vision research is negligible, Canadian motorcyclists have taken a proactive role to ensure important vision research can be funded.

Today We would like you to join us in fundraising for this vital research.

It's easy to become a part of the solution. Please make a donation to our rundraising effort. Your donation is tax deductable.

Ride for Sight ...because you can!

Thank you for your support!!

Copy and paste the link into your browser

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=93784&lis=1&kntae93784=FEA7605600F04C93A8FB749046F0967C&supId=77781754 

Thanks for reading

9) Beginner Bike?        24-May-07 03:00 am       

I'm new to this motocross scene. I've ridden for roughly 10 hours on an older 125 and i've decided to finally get my own bike. Should i get a 125, or just got for the 250 now, spend the extra and be set for the future?

I need practice and seat time but i'm not rich, so i want to get a bike that will be good for me in the future...any suggestions? My cousin shot some footage of me riding the other day and i think he said he uploaded it to ourstage.com lol. Said something about a chance to win $5k should i get enough votes, so should that happen, i might just get two bikes :P Now that would be awesome!

10) thoughts on baiting deer 03-18-2013, 10:57 AM

just wondering what some of yalls thought are on feeders ect. and baiting deer. illegal here in alabama but not in mississippi or florida. friend of mine got a $500 ticket and i know its going on. personally disagree with it. thoughts............

11) Quest for the West02-12-2012, 11:04 AM

Some of you may remember that last summer my parents took my two oldest to Ecuador/Galapagos using ABD. They all absolutely loved it and were already talking about which trip, or the same, they would take in 2 or 3 years with my youngest and a nephew of the same age.

Well, last week we got a surprise when my dad called and said he wanted to take everyone on the Quest for the West to celebrate their 45 wedding anniversary! 

I think the boys will all love it - Four of them are between 6 and 8. My daughter is hoping for girls on the trip, but she is so excited to go on another ABD trip!

So, for anyone who has done this trip, my only research is flights and what to do in Jackson. Should we fly in a day early? Is there enough to do in Jackson considering ABD gives you a half day to explore?

Thanks! Any tips would be great. There is a great trip report in the sticky section, but it is from 2009. Any more recent?

APPENDIX (B)

ANALYSIS OF DATA

NO. CATEGORIES SPOKEN WRITTEN1 Vocabulary Less densed and informal

vocabulary.1. My question: is he allowed to

make the speed limit for the entire lake or did some athority figure make him post it.

2. Hey everybody, I’m conducting a poll for my Tourism Marketing class project.

3. If you’ve got a minute and would like to vote it would really help me out.

4. Baseball put up giant nets behind home plate, yet those seats are always full

Slang expression and interactive expression.

5. Well the Scout Association are looking for volunteers.

6. So join today7. I need practice and seat time

but i'm not rich, so i want to get a bike that will be good for me in the future...any suggestions.

8. Stuff happens and all it takes is being in the right place at the right time for it to find you.

9. just wondering what some of yalls thought are on feeders ect. and baiting deer

10. Well, last week we got a surprise when my dad called and said he wanted to take everyone on the Quest for the West to celebrate their 45 wedding anniversary! 

11. So, for anyone who has done this trip, my only research is flights and what to do in Jackson.

Densed: terms, registers, jargons and formal vocabulary

1. Showing that you've volunteered for something shows employers that you're able to diversify yourself and spend time on others.

2. If you're interested in finding out more information, you can request an information pack with all the details you'll need, fromhttp://www.jointheadventure.com and you won't be obliged to sign up!

3. She is tied up and immobilized in a small, wooden cage.

4. It's the centerpiece of a centuries-old ritual in northern Thailand designed to domesticate young elephants.

5. In addition to beatings, handlers use sleep-deprivation, hunger, and thirst to "break" the elephants' spirit and make them submissive to their owners. 

6. A mistake can mean your life or limb.

7. While government funding to vision research is negligible, Canadian motorcyclists have taken a proactive role to ensure important vision research can be funded.

8. People need to realize that, although not as dangerous as on track, being at a race track is a dangerous place and one should never drop their guard.

9. Your donation is tax deductable.

2 Structure Short sentences/ structurally simple and informal

1. I’m kind of running the poll ‘tournament tree’ style.

2. The cage is called a "training crush."

3. What can you do ?4. I'm SAVING UP TO 90% on

MY vacations, how about you? 

5. Today We would like you to join us in fundraising for this vital research.

6. I'm new to this motocross scene.

7. Race tracks are, and have always been, a dangerous environment, even for the fans.

8. Should i get a 125, or just got for the 250 now, spend the extra and be set for the future?

9. Some of you may remember that last summer my parents took my two oldest to Ecuador/Galapagos using ABD.

10. I think the boys will all love it.

11. Four of them are between 6 and 8.

12. Thanks! Any tips would be great.

13. There is a great trip report in the sticky section, but it is from 2009.

14. Any more recent?

Long sentences/ structurally elaborated/ complex and formal

1. Just before dawn in the remote highlands of northern Thailand, west of the village Mae Jaem, a four-year-old elephant bellows as seven village men stab nails into her ears and feet.

2. Elephant Heaven is a sanctuary for abused elephants run by Lek Chailert, a well-known Chiang Mai-based activist who constantly campaigns on their behalf.

3. Her exposure of the brutal crush and her conservation campaign has raised international awareness and also provoked local resistance. 

4. We welcome owners and lovers of all vintage campers and trailers regardless of make, model,or brands like Airfloat,Airstream,Aero Flite, Aeroflite ,Alcoa, Aljo,Aljoa,Aladdin,Alma,Aristo crat,Boles Aero,Cardi,Cardinal,DeCamp,El Rey,Elcar,Fan,Fireball,Forrest er,Geographic,Crown Avion,Fan,Fleetwheels,Bowlus,Cabin Car,Curtiss,Curtis Wright,Palace,Covered Wagon,Glider,Halsco,Indian,Nat ional,Roycraft, Silverdome,Silver Streak,Kit,Liberty,Lintzcraft, Schult,Serro Scotty,Sportcraft,Vagabond,Wes tcraft,Holly,Kenskill,Ken-Craf t,Main Line,Mobile,M-System,Metzendor f,Boles Aero,Pierce Arrow,Oasis, Royal,Shasta,Spartan,Spartane

t te,Streamline,Trotwood,Vagabond,Westcraft, Westwood,Wright,Zimmer,Kit,tear drop campers just to name a few....

5. "The people believe that to control the animal they have to do something to make the elephant feel fear and pain," said Sangduen "Lek" Chailert, a well-known Chiang-Mai-based activist who runs Jumbo Express, a program bringing free veterinary care to these animals.

3 Attitude Emoticons, capital letters and punctuation, fillers are used to replace intonation, pitch, stress that show the writer’s attitude:

1. You don't have to volunteer every week, you can choose to show up for just events like rafting and quad-biking or ROCK CLIMBING!

2. Its all part of the USA Vintage Trailer Network...Linking all 50 states.

3. Join your state group today!!!4. I was just curious, I went to

Chapman lake in Spokane County Washington and read signs which looked like the "resort" owner made which says the speed limit on the ENTIRE lake is 5 MPH.

5. Thanks a lot :) 6. Do not support this practice

by visiting elephant camps where the elephants "do tricks" !

7. I'm SAVING UP TO 90% on MY vacations, how about you? 

8. And take advantage of our Unlimited NO Blackout dates, with rates No Higher than $699.00, which includes 8 days / 7 nights. 

Choice of words reflect the writer’s attitude:

1. If you’ve got a minute and would like to vote it would really help me out.

2. If your favorite city doesn’t appear as an option, don’t worry it will most likely show up in Rounds 2-4

3. Thailand's Elephant "Crushing" Ritual.

4. In addition to beatings, handlers use sleep-deprivation, hunger, and thirst to "break" the elephants' spirit and make them submissive to their owners. 

5. Her exposure of the brutal crush and her conservation campaign has raised international awareness and also provoked local resistance.

6. Please support http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/ .

7. Remember that even a small donation can go a long way in Thailand. 

8. Watch our 3-minute video presentation please.

9. Please forward this message to animal lovers around the world.

9. You simply cannot afford to miss the amazing possibilities that await you here…http://www.globalresortsnetwork.com/kvl

10. Fans need to remember that they can not expect total safety when they walk in the gate at ANY race track.

11. Hmmmmmmmm...12. Said something about a

chance to win $5k should i get enough votes, so should that happen, i might just get two bikes :P

13. Ride for Sight ...because I can!

14. thoughts............15. My daughter is hoping for

girls on the trip, but she is so excited to go on another ABD trip!

4 Conciseness Repetition:1. All 50 state groups of the

Vintage Network are easy to find and easy to join.

2. We have been participating in Ride for Sight for many years. We are proud of the impact motorcyclists have had on vision research, We are proud of my personal fundraising efforts for vision research

Precise and direct:1. Please forward this message to

animal lovers around the world.

2. She's an outspoken critic of the crush. 

3. We have a private network with well over 5,000+ 4-5 star global resort destinations to choose from. 

4. Our staff will find a location for you, or you can request one that is not in the network. 

5. We offer Unlimited Hot Weeks for just $298.00, which includes 8 days / 7 nights.

6. Even your Friends and Family can go as well, with free passes annually, all at the same rates members pay. 

5 Grammar Contraction: 1. I've ridden for roughly 10

hours on an older 125 and i've decided to finally get my own bike.

Formal and complex:1. Have you ever given up your

own time for someone else?2. Have you ever volunteered?3. Do you need more on your

2. It's a sound not easily forgotten

3. She's an outspoken critic of the crush. 

4. It's like working in the pits/garage areas, you need to be on your toes and totally aware of your surroundings at all times.

5. It's too easy to get hit by a car or any number of other objects.

6. It's easy to become a part of the solution.

Ellipsis:  

7. Its all part of the USA Vintage Trailer Network...Linking all 50 states.

8. A good way to meet old friends and make some new ones...Join your state group today!!!

9. Linking owners of various regions and home states to help each other in our travel and rally plans.

10. Its free to join...So join today.11. Said something about a

chance to win $5k should i get enough votes, so should that happen, i might just get two bikes :P

12. illegal here in alabama but not in mississippi or florida.

13. personally disagree with it.

Pronoun:

14. We have a private network with well over 5,000+ 4-5 star global resort destinations to choose from. 

15. Our staff will find a location for you, or you can request one that is not in the network.

16. We offer Unlimited Hot

CV?4. Did you know - Motorcyclists

are best fundraisers for vision research!

5. Will you or someone you know do any traveling this year? 

6. Do not support this practice by visiting elephant camps where the elephants "do tricks" !

7. Fires can break out easily.8. Today We would like you to

join us in fundraising for this vital research.

9. Should we fly in a day early?10. Is there enough to do in

Jackson considering ABD gives you a half day to explore?

Weeks for just $298.00, which includes 8 days / 7 nights. 

17. Even your Friends and Family can go as well, with free passes annually, all at the same rates members pay. 

18. We have been participating in Ride for Sight for many years.

19. My cousin shot some footage of me riding the other day and i think he said he uploaded it to ourstage.com lol.

20. They keep saying on Raceday that the fans should expect their safety at race tracks.

21. friend of mine got a $500 ticket and i know its going on

22. They all absolutely loved it and were already talking about which trip, or the same, they would take in 2 or 3 years with my youngest and a nephew of the same age.

23. I’m trying to get a good survey of people who frequent travel message boards to share their opinions as to what they believe to be the ‘best’ city in the world.

APPENDIX (C)

SUMMARY OF THE ANALYSIS (BASED ON THE NUMBER OF EXAMPLES CHOSEN)

NO CATEGORIES SPOKEN WRIITEM1 Vocabulary 11 92 Structure 14 53 Attitude 15 95 Conciseness 2 64 Grammar 23 10