Computer mediated communication and discourse : the effect on writing skill

الملخص EN

This paper deals with Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) as an emergent communicative environment.

CMC mostly occurs in text–based modes such as web-chat, bulletin board, electronic mail, away messages, etc.

By means of CMC, online classroom can be established with a variety of subjects than that of the traditional classroom.

Students need to be trained to be persistent and disciplined in order to learn from online courses.

Accordingly, this research responds to lack of studies written about computer mediated environment as of interest to discourse analysts and as a tool for teachers of writing as well.

The research aims at : 1) identifying CMC through its historical development, 2) defining its modes, 3) forming a framework of related studies to CMDA, and some works done about CMC in instructional setting, and 4)giving suggestions to writing instructors of how they adopt this technology in their carrier It is found out that CMC is classified into different modes according to synchronicity and transmission.

Its style is different from the standard language.

It involves hybrid features of oral and written language.

Teachers have to be aware of the influence of computer technology on communicative skills.

They can suit it, as a legitimate type of technology, especially in teaching drafting and critical thinking according to pre-determined purposes.