Difference Between Oral Communication

and Written Communication

W
ords play a crucial role in communication process, to transmit the message in
the way it is intended to be conveyed. When words are used in the process of
communication, it is known as verbal communication. Verbal transfer of
information can be performed, orally or in written form. 

Content: Oral Communication Vs Written Communication

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

BASIS FOR
ORAL COMMUNICATION WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION

Meaning Exchange of ideas, information and Interchange of message, opinions and

message through spoken words is Oral information in written or printed form i
Communication. Written Communication.

What is it? Communication with the help of words Communication with the help of text.
 BASIS FOR
ORAL COMMUNICATION WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION

of mouth.

Literacy Not required at all. Necessary for communication.

Transmission of message Speedy Slow

Proof No record of communication is there. Proper records of communication are

present.

Feedback Immediate feedback can be given Feedback takes time.

Revision before delivering Not possible Possible

the message?

Receipt of nonverbal cues Yes No

Probability of Very high Quite less

misunderstanding

Definition of Oral Communication

Oral Communication is the process of conveying or receiving messages with

the use of spoken words. This mode of communication is highly used across
the world because of rapid transmission of information and prompt reply.

Oral communication can either be in the form of direct conversation between

two or more persons like face to face communication, lectures,
meetings, seminars, group discussion, conferences, etc. or indirect
conversation, i.e. the form of communication in which a medium is used for
interchange of information like telephonic conversation, video call, voice call,
etc.
The best thing about this mode of communication is that the parties to
communication, i.e. sender or receiver, can notice nonverbal cues like the
body language, facial expression, tone of voice and pitch, etc. This makes the
communication between the parties more effective. However, this mode is
backed with some limitation like the words once spoken can never be taken
back.

Definition of Written Communication

The communication in which the message is transmitted in written or printed

form is known as Written Communication. It is the most reliable mode of
communication, and it is highly preferred in the business world because of its
formal and sophisticated nature. The various channels of
written communication are letters, e-mails, journals, magazines, newspapers,
text messages, reports, etc. There are a number of advantages of written
communication which are as under:

 Referring the message in the future will be easy.

 Before transmitting the message, one can revise or rewrite it in an
organized way.
 The chances of misinterpretation of message are very less because the
words are carefully chosen.
 The communication is planned.
 Legal evidence is available due to the safekeeping of records.

But as we all know that everything has two aspects, same is the case with
written communication as the communication is a time consuming one.
Moreover, the sender will never know that the receiver has read the message
or not. The sender has to wait for the responses of the receiver. A lot of
paperwork is there, in this mode of communication.

Key Differences Between Oral Communication and

Written Communication
The following are the major differences between oral communication and
written communication:

1. The type of communication in which the sender transmits information

to the receiver through verbally speaking the message. The
communication mode, which uses written or printed text for exchanging
the information is known as Written Communication.
 2. The pre-condition in written communication is that the participants
must be literate whereas there is no such condition in case of oral
communication.
3. Proper records are there in Written Communication, which is just
opposite in the case of Oral Communication.
4. Oral Communication is faster than Written Communication.
5. The words once uttered cannot be reversed in the case of Oral
Communication. On the other hand, editing of the original message is
possible in Written Communication.
6. Misinterpretation of the message is possible in Oral Communication but
not in Written Communication.
7. In oral communication, instant feedback is received from the recipient
which is not possible in Written Communication.

Conclusion

Oral Communication is an informal one which is normally used in personal

conversations, group talks, etc. Written Communication is
formal communication, which is used in schools, colleges, business world, etc.
Choosing between the two communication modes is a tough task because both
are good at their places. People normally use the oral mode of communication
because it is convenient and less time-consuming. However, people normally
believe in the written text more than what they hear that is why written
communication is considered as the reliable method of communication.