Written or Spoken Communication?

Perhaps some would say that the spoken word is the most effective form of communication. For the purpose of general information exchange and everyday communication, I would agree. However, when dealing with the transfer of knowledge, learning, and the preservation of information written text is more effective.

Mass amounts of knowledge can be transferred through the spoken word. Take a traditional college classroom as an example. But accompanying in-class oral lectures and discussions are text books and notes. Without these written forms of knowledge, the learning and retention of the material would be much more difficult.

The vast majority of public speakers write out their speeches before hand. Occasionally notes are referred to during oral presentations. For example, there is an entire team of people who write speeches for the president. Actors and actresses also must learn their lines by first reading screen plays. Plays and movies begin as written words before they are transformed into a visual and oral medium.

After the inception of writing, important information has been (and continues to be) recorded in written form. Text allows for information and knowledge to be accurately preserved and transmitted through the years. Prior to written language the accurate recordation of events, rules, and other knowledge was all but impossible. Writing also allows for communications to be preserved. Email, letters, and legal documents are preserved forms of written communication.

In addition to afore mentioned reasons, the spoken word is based upon the construct of the written word. The rules followed for writing are applied to speech and provide uniformity between the two mediums.