How hard is it to use real words?

It is alot faster to write that way. Most of these people are used to IM programs where speed is the key, not intelligence. So they use that manner of typing because they are so used to it. Thats my guess at least..... (They might just be stupid) :)

It does bug me quite alot when I see people using the short cuts just for the "hipness" of it... and I think that's why they created the Slang sections... so people could freely use that kind of writing. I must confess to using "luv" a lot... a habit I never broke free of from my teen years...

What is your view on misused homophones. I admit to being unusually irked by that.. :o) Especially your/you're

well, I think there are two takes on the subject. First of all, since poetry is an art and a form of personal expression, the use of 1337-speak could just be an intentional and purposeful message that the author is conveying. On the other hand, lazyness seems like a probable cause for the improper English. Sophisticated artists can use what people might call "unsophisticated" means for making their art. People have commented to me that Picasso's work could have been done by a 4 year old. While technically plausible, we should consider the meaning and though behind the crude use of paint, just as the crude use of language might have a meaning as well. Maybe?

I agree with all of you, you've all got valid points.... i use real words, as you guys refer to them, but there are times when i want or need to use short cuts.... when im on usually i don't have a lot of time and i want to make sure i get time for everything so i have the urge to use the short cuts.... like u, 2, and others.... its not because im stupid, or lazty or whatever... i just feel like i dont have time to get what i want done... that's all.....
Manda

hey ppl. sups. nm. anyway i do talk like that cause its faster and its an easier way for me to talk. sorry. i will stop if u want me too.

excuse me i hope u were not talking about me cus if u were u better stop now and i mean now even if it wus someone else i dont care stop.

its ok i understnad i will try to make it better next time

most people dont fly through writing a poem they write it somewhere other than the p+q submit form where they take their time then want to write them up on here more quickly. also some people have to get out their ideas quickly so they type like that. more than you think will go back and type it out more fully (if that makes sense). personally i no exactly wat u mean, although i do it sometimes too.

I use IM everyday, i'll admit it. But when it comes to poetry i write properly, and use the actual spelling of words. Also when i read poetry i expect it to be written with proper English because poetry is serious (well i think it is) and i find it hard to take it serious when things are spelt lik dis n nutin is spelt rite etc.
Hope you get my point.

Silver

Yeah, Silver, I get your point. I also use IM daily but when I type my poems I definitely use the proper spelling. Of course, sometimes typos appear but those things happen. Also, when I am in the forum and I am saying something serious (e.g. "Is Abortion Wrong if You Have Been Raped"), I do not use IM talk. If I just want to say something that is practically pointless, then I won't make as much of an effort.
If I am reading a poem and there is a big spelling mistake, I put in my comment:"[what I think of the poem] and tell me when you correct the [mistake] and I'll give you the five you deserve!".
I don't understand why some people use "wuz" instead of "was" because it doesn't make it any faster. It just creates an intentional spelling mistake.

WHO CARES MAYBE THATS HOW WE FEEL LIKE WRITING THERE ONLY LETTERS AND NUMBERS BIG DEAL

mealah:

If you press the capslock botton one more time you can write in normal sized letters. Cool eh?

In response, I would have to say that the people who care are those that don't like reading stuff written that way. You can feel like writing "leet," but there are people who don't feel like reading it. If your opinion is of any importance at all (debatable), then the opinion of those who read your poems is important too.

I agree, you shouldn't use short hand. It demotes your intelligence. And even if you ARE intelligent, and you're just using short hand because it's easier, people automatically assume that it's because you lack common knowledge. I think it's sort of childish, but whatever floats your boat! I just don't usually take the time to read poems with short hand. Yes, it's sort of a stereo-type ... but I know I'm not the only one.

I write normal because I'm so used to having to. IT'S A LONG STORY! But yeah all you losers out there who type like idiots learn to frickin' type faster.. I type like this and I can type really fast. I use AIM and I type fast. Oh what now. Oh and what the hell is 1337??

Ditto Erica!!! What the hell IS 1337??? I think it's really not going to save THAT much time by saying "u" instead of you. What...typing two more letters is going to allow you to get in a whole extra hour per day or something? I use PROPER spelling and capitalization no matter WHERE I type. Even on AIM. Shocking, I know. Well, I guess that's what I get for being literate.

I dont bother reading poems if people type like that. Most of the time, I can't even understand them.

I don't try I admit Im on aim msn yahoo and w/e other IM program I can find if I am trying to prove a point I type it out. In your poetry? If you can't be bothered to write it all don't write it. I have nothing against shortanhanding things but I don't it should be used in writing, and It does make you look intelligent .. when Im telling someone how I feel about them and know they are going to mad even the first thing I do is check my spelling to create less insults. Maybe people should try this in their writing. Yes I shorthand I think I even did in ths post capilitization doesnt matter much to me for I've always been told by a wonderful teacher of mine, a poem can be written with one capital and one period and still be just as good.

Ooh, that kind of slang annoys the heck out of me. Call me judgmental, but if you write using slang, I will most likely assume you are not someone worth talking to. I happen to appreciate Literature and Languages, unrelated to slang and laziness :\

And using 'luv' is especially bad. How can you put so little meaning to that word?

I can't stand it. Usually i try to use proper grammer and i wish people could make the effect to do the same.