Pros and Cons of Written and Oral Communication

Questions and Answers

What are the advantages of written communication?

Better for difficult complicated messages, Can be reviewed, Useful when a written record is required for reference purposes, Generally less costly, Allows for correction and adjustment of message in the light of feedback and nonverbal cues.

What are the advantages of oral communication?

Better for feelings and emotions, More personal and individual, Provides for greater interaction and feedback, Can make more impact, Allows for correction and adjustment of message in the light of feedback and nonverbal cues.

What are the disadvantages of oral communication?

More difficult to think as the communicator speaks, More time-consuming, Feedback is either non-existent or delayed, Something once said cannot be erased, Lacks nonverbal cues, which help in interpretation.

What are the disadvantages of written communication?

<p>Errors can be removed before transmission, The listener has a chance to ask questions if he does not understand something, The use of pauses, stress and intonation make it possible for the speaker to add extra meaning to his message, Non-verbal cues may conflict with the spoken message, You can never be sure the messages are read.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the features of oral communication?

<p>More personal and individual, Provides for greater interaction and feedback, Can be carefully planned and considered before transmission, Errors can be removed before transmission, The listener has a chance to ask questions if he does not understand something.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Advantages of Written Communication

Enables receiver to re-read and understand the message clearly, reducing chances of misinterpretation
Provides a permanent record of communication, which can be referred to later
Allows sender to organize thoughts and express themselves more clearly
Suitable for conveying complex or detailed information
Facilitates communication over long distances and with large audiences

Advantages of Oral Communication

Enables instant feedback and clarification, reducing misunderstandings
Facilitates building relationships and trust through nonverbal cues
Allows for rapid exchange of ideas and quick decision-making
Suitable for emotional or sensitive topics, where tone and empathy are crucial
Encourages spontaneous and creative discussion

Disadvantages of Oral Communication

Difficult to keep a record of the conversation
May be prone to misinterpretation due to tone, pitch, and language barriers
Limited by time and geographical constraints
Can be interrupted or dominated by others
May not be suitable for complex or detailed information

Disadvantages of Written Communication

May be prone to misinterpretation due to lack of nonverbal cues
Does not allow for immediate feedback or clarification
Can be time-consuming to prepare and respond
May not be suitable for emotional or sensitive topics
Can be easily misinterpreted or distorted by others

Features of Oral Communication

Involves face-to-face interaction, allowing for nonverbal cues and immediate feedback
Uses spoken language, tone, and pitch to convey meaning
Often spontaneous and unplanned, with a focus on the present moment
Can be formal or informal, depending on the context and relationship
Relies on the speaker's ability to articulate and convey their message effectively