Writing versus speaking
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The document compares the key differences between written and spoken communication. It notes that writing transcends time and space while speaking is immediate, and that writing allows for revisions before publication. Additionally, it states that writing follows an organized structure, uses more content words, and aims to be error-free, whereas speaking utilizes gestures, intonation and allows for errors.
Writing versus speaking
- 2. Writing transcends time and space while spoken communication operates in the here- and-now world Writing tends to be more permanent while speaking is often transient
- 3. In writing, the audience may often be general than specific, and may be represented as a type rather than as an addressee who we can see and interact with
- 4. In writing, there is time lag between the production and reception.The writer has time to modify what will appear in the finished product
- 5. Writing follows a defined course of organization and the language used In writing, the level of correctness and the issue of well-formed-ness is addressed Lexical density or the proportion of the content words to grammatical (function) words – written text frequently has more content words than function words.
- 6. Phrasal verbs are likely to appear in spoken words than in formal writing Hesitation markers (umm, well), non-clausal units (Mmm, Uh-huh), and interjections are common in speech than in writing Contracted forms, tag questions, and echo questions are less common in writing
- 7. Speakers and listeners use expressions and gestures, as well as stress and intonation, to convey meaning Writing has fewer signs and symbols but they can be just as powerful
- 8. Meaning is a work in progress in speaking so error is tolerated. Writing is supposed to be an error-free finished product
Editor's Notes
- #8: Punctuation marks (question marks and exclamation points), changing the order of clauses, highlighting marks can have impact on writing , even emoticons in e-mails can have impact on one’s writing