Differences between written and

oral language

Written vs. Oral Communication

Most people intuitively understand that there are

differences between oral and written language.
It is important to realize that speech is genuinely
different from written prose, and one should not use
the logic of oral language in formal academic
writing.

As a rule of thumb, the audience will remember

about one-half of what was said. Written language
is saved for posterity with the assumption that
100% of it will be read, understood, and
remembered.

WRITTEN LANGUAGE

EFFECTIVE WRITTEN LANGUAGE is

Precise and direct.
Chosen with greater deliberation and thought..
More sophisticated, and developed.
Less personal.

 Driven by logic, organization, and explicitness

Achieved through sentence length, complex
language style.
Validated by authors credibility.
Objective.

 Non-retractable (its forever and so are

mistakes and flaws).
Planned and deliberate.

ORAL LANGUAGE

ORAL LANGUAGE is

A dynamic transfer of information.

Everyday spoken language, including some cultural
expressions, such as go crazy.
Able to engage the audience psychologically and to
use complex forms of non-verbal communication.

 Retractable (one can apologize for a mistake or offer

clarification)
Highly subjective
Spontaneous
Dependent upon orientation signals (for example,
Well, in the first place), and projection terms (for
example, It seems to me) to soften the tone
Conversational and indirect.

ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATION

ADVANTAGES OF ORAL COMMUNICATION

There is high level of understanding and transparency in

oral communication as it is interpersonal.
There is flexibility for allowing changes in the decisions
previously taken.
The feedback is
communication.

spontaneous

in

case

of

oral

 Oral communication is an essential for teamwork and

group energy.
Oral communication promotes a receptive and
encouraging morale among organizational employees.
Oral communication can be best used to transfer private
and confidential information.

LIMITATIONS OF ORAL COMMUNICATION

Relying only on oral communication may not be

sufficient as business communication is formal and very
organized.
Oral communication is less authentic than written
communication as they are informal and not as
organized as written communication.
It requires attentiveness and great receptivity on part of
the receivers/audience.

ADVANTAGES OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

It is a permanent means of communication. It is

useful where record maintenance is required.

Written communication is more precise and explicit.

Effective written communication develops and

enhances an organizations image.

DISADVANTAGES OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

If the receivers of the written message are separated by

distance and if they need to clear their doubts, the
response is not spontaneous.

Written communication is time-consuming as the

feedback is not immediate.

Effective written communication requires great skills

and competencies in language and vocabulary use.