Journal of Mass Communication & Journalism

A Relationship between Text Message Volume and Formal Writing Performance on the SAT

Abstract

Brian J Wardyga

The purpose of this study was to reveal whether there is a relationship between students’ volume of text
messaging and formal writing performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test writing section. The study also examined gender as a contributing variable in this measure. The study focused solely on texting because texting has become the preferred method of telecommunication among teens and young adults. The design included a questionnaire that collected data to show whether any relationships exist that indicate a correlation between paired scores. The sample was taken from college freshmen who completed the SAT writing test before the fall 2011 semester. The results of the study showed a significant negative relationship between female students’ average monthly text message volume and SAT writing scores.