DON'TUSEALLCAPSWINUWRITE

Text messaging and social networking has led people to believe punctuation and correct spelling are not important.

Sure, you aren't getting a grade, but people read the stuff you post for everyone to see. Trust me, the lack of grammar is driving most of your family and friends insane.

WHEN YOU TYPE IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, I can't help but yell what you wrote in my head. I literally find myself screaming in my head as I read what it says.

Whenyoudon'tleavespacesbetweenyourwords, I read it really fast. The lack of spaces makes me subconsciously think it's all one word.

When you type three sentences in one sentence and don't put any punctuation between the sentences even though you start a new idea I read it without taking a single break. Commas, periods and other punctuation marks are very important. If I were reading that sentence out loud, I would probably do so without taking a breath. I know where the punctuation should be, but as I am reading it I don't have time to stop and think about it if I am in a hurry.

Then there are the ones that are always so excited! After every sentence they put at least one exclamation point, and sometimes more!! Even when they are telling you about something unimportant!!! Or how about those people that just aren't sure if they are excited?!

When u typ lyk dis, I find you less credible. I am guilty of replacing "you" with "u" in a text message or Facebook post to cut the number of characters, but there is no reason to replace "like" with "lyk" or "this" with "dis." It honestly makes no sense, and half the time I have no idea what those people are trying to say.

it drives me crazy when people never use capital letters, as well. sure there is a period to show you are starting a new sentence, but the capital after the period reassures the reader.

Of all these, THE OVERUSE OF CAPITAL LETTERS IS MY BIGGEST PET PEEVE. Did you yell that sentence in your head? I yelled in my head as I wrote it.

I am not saying it is never OK to use text message language, but that is exactly what they should be used for, text messages.

Facebook posters and commenters, lay off the caps lock. No one likes to be yelled at. When you send me a text message in all capital letters, I am going to assume you are not very happy with me.

When it comes to punctuation, I will forgive people for commas. I'm not that great with them either, but do not send a three page text message with no periods whatsoever. As for exclamation points, only use them when you are, in fact, excited.

Be courteous of your Facebook friends and text message recipients. They read these things, and I am sure they get just as annoyed.

Sabrina is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached by email at swestfall@gcdailyworld.com .