difference between writing and speech

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Differences between writing and speech

Written and spoken language differ in many ways. However some forms of writing are closer to speech than others, and vice versa. Below are some of the ways in which these two forms of language differ:

Writing is usually permanent and written texts cannot usually be changed once they have been printed/written out.

Speech is usually transient, unless recorded, and speakers can correct themselves and change their utterances as they go along.

A written text can communicate across time and space for as long as the particular language and writing system is still understood.

Speech is usually used for immediate interactions.

Written language tends to be more complex and intricate than speech with longer sentences and many subordinate clauses. The punctuation and layout of written texts also have no spoken equivalent. However some forms of written language, such as instant messages and email, are closer to spoken language.

Spoken language tends to be full of repetitions, incomplete sentences, corrections and interruptions, with the exception of formal speeches and other scripted forms of speech, such as news reports and scripts for plays and films.

Writers receive no immediate feedback from their readers, except in computer-based communication. Therefore they cannot rely on context to clarify things so there is more need to explain things clearly and unambiguously than in speech, except in written correspondence between people who know one another well.

Speech is usually a dynamic interaction between two or more people. Context and shared knowledge play a major role, so it is possible to leave much unsaid or indirectly implied.

Writers can make use of punctuation, headings, layout, colours and other graphical effects in their written texts. Such things are not available in speech

Speech can use timing, tone, volume, and timbre to add emotional context.

Written material can be read repeatedly and closely analysed, and notes can be made on the writing surface. Only recorded speech can be used in this way.

Some grammatical constructions are only used in writing, as are some kinds of vocabulary, such as some complex chemical and legal terms.

Some types of vocabulary are used only or mainly in speech. These include slang expressions, and tags like y'know , like , etc.

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Speaking vs Writing: Fundamental Differences Of These Terms

Are you curious about the differences between speaking and writing? It’s a common question that many people ask, and for good reason. While both forms of communication are important, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart. In this article, we’ll explore the nuances of speaking and writing, and provide a deeper understanding of each.

Let’s clarify the definitions of speaking and writing. Speaking refers to the act of communicating through verbal language, using words and sounds to convey a message. Writing, on the other hand, involves using a written language to express ideas, thoughts, and information. While both forms of communication have the same goal of conveying a message, they use different mediums to do so.

Now that we have a basic understanding of the difference between speaking and writing, let’s dive deeper into the nuances of each. We’ll explore the unique characteristics of speaking and writing, and how they can impact the way we communicate.

Define Speaking

Speaking is the act of communicating verbally with another person or group of people. It involves the use of spoken language to convey a message or express an idea. Speaking can take many forms, including conversations, presentations, lectures, debates, and interviews. It is a fundamental aspect of human communication and plays a crucial role in our personal and professional lives.

Define Writing

Writing is the act of communicating through the written word. It involves the use of language to convey a message or express an idea in a permanent form. Writing can take many forms, including essays, articles, reports, emails, and letters. It is a vital skill in today’s digital age, where written communication is often the primary mode of interaction in both personal and professional settings.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right words in a sentence is crucial to convey the intended message effectively. The choice between speaking and writing depends on the context and purpose of communication.

How To Use “Speaking” In A Sentence

Speaking is the act of communicating through the use of spoken words. It is commonly used in face-to-face conversations, presentations, and speeches. When using the word “speaking” in a sentence, it is important to consider the following:

• Use it as a verb to describe the act of speaking, such as “He is speaking at the conference tomorrow.”
• Use it as a noun to refer to the activity of speaking, such as “Public speaking is a skill that can be developed over time.”
• Use it as an adjective to describe something related to speaking, such as “She has excellent speaking skills.”

When using “speaking” in a sentence, it is important to ensure that the context is clear and the intended meaning is conveyed effectively.

How To Use “Writing” In A Sentence

Writing is the act of communicating through the use of written words. It is commonly used in emails, letters, reports, and other forms of written communication. When using the word “writing” in a sentence, it is important to consider the following:

• Use it as a verb to describe the act of writing, such as “She is writing a novel.”
• Use it as a noun to refer to the activity of writing, such as “Writing is an essential skill in today’s workplace.”
• Use it as an adjective to describe something related to writing, such as “He has excellent writing skills.”

When using “writing” in a sentence, it is important to ensure that the context is clear and the intended meaning is conveyed effectively. Proper use of grammar, punctuation, and spelling is also important to ensure that the written message is clear and professional.

More Examples Of Speaking & Writing Used In Sentences

In this section, we will explore more examples of how speaking and writing are used in sentences. Both forms of communication have their unique advantages and disadvantages, and understanding how to use them effectively is crucial in many situations.

Examples Of Using Speaking In A Sentence

• “I’m sorry, I can’t come to the meeting today,” said John.
• “Would you like to go out for dinner tonight?” asked Mary.
• “I’m so excited to announce that we are launching a new product next month!” exclaimed the CEO.
• “I’m afraid I have some bad news,” said the doctor to his patient.
• “Can you please pass me the salt?” asked Tom.
• “I’m really impressed with your presentation,” complimented the boss.
• “I’m sorry, but we have to let you go,” said the HR manager.
• “I love you,” whispered Jane to her husband.
• “I’m feeling a bit under the weather today,” explained Sarah to her colleagues.
• “I’m not sure I understand what you mean,” said Jack to his friend.

Examples Of Using Writing In A Sentence

• Dear Mr. Smith, I am writing to express my interest in the job position you advertised on your website.
• The purpose of this report is to analyze the sales performance of our company in the last quarter.
• According to the latest research, the global demand for renewable energy is expected to increase by 15% next year.
• Thank you for your email. I am writing to confirm that I have received your message and will get back to you as soon as possible.
• The novel explores the themes of love, loss, and redemption in a deeply moving way.
• After careful consideration, we have decided to offer you the job position. Congratulations!
• Please find attached the documents you requested in your previous email.
• As a result of the pandemic, many businesses have had to adapt to new ways of working in order to survive.
• The purpose of this essay is to argue that climate change is the most pressing issue facing our planet today.
• Dear Mrs. Jones, I am writing to express my condolences on the passing of your husband.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to communication, there are two primary methods: speaking and writing. While they share some similarities, they are fundamentally different in their execution. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of using them interchangeably, leading to confusion and misunderstandings. Below are some common mistakes to avoid when using speaking and writing.

1. Using Slang And Colloquialisms In Writing

One of the most significant differences between speaking and writing is the level of formality. While speaking is generally more casual and informal, writing tends to be more structured and formal. One common mistake people make when writing is using slang and colloquialisms, which can make the writing seem unprofessional and unpolished. It is essential to use appropriate language and tone when writing, depending on the context and audience.

2. Using Complex Vocabulary In Speaking

On the other hand, some people make the mistake of using overly complex vocabulary when speaking, which can make their message difficult to understand. While it is essential to use appropriate language when speaking, it is also crucial to keep it simple and clear. Using overly complex vocabulary can make the speaker seem pretentious and can alienate the audience.

3. Ignoring Grammar And Spelling In Writing

Another common mistake people make when writing is ignoring grammar and spelling. While mistakes can happen, consistently poor grammar and spelling can make the writing difficult to read and understand. It is important to proofread and edit writing carefully to ensure that it is polished and error-free. Utilizing tools such as Grammarly can help catch errors and improve the overall quality of the writing.

4. Rambling And Tangents In Speaking

When speaking, it is easy to get carried away and go off on tangents, which can lead to confusion and a lack of focus. It is essential to stay on topic and maintain a clear structure when speaking. It can be helpful to outline key points beforehand and practice delivering them concisely.

5. Lack Of Clarity In Writing

Finally, one of the most significant mistakes people make when writing is a lack of clarity. Writing should be clear, concise, and easy to understand. It is important to avoid jargon and technical language unless it is necessary for the audience. Utilizing clear and concise sentences, paragraphs, and headings can help improve the overall clarity of writing.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

• Use appropriate language and tone depending on the context and audience
• Keep vocabulary simple and clear when speaking
• Proofread and edit writing carefully to ensure it is polished and error-free
• Stay on topic and maintain a clear structure when speaking
• Avoid jargon and technical language unless necessary for the audience

Context Matters

When it comes to communication, the choice between speaking and writing depends largely on the context in which they are used. Each mode of communication has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, and understanding when to use each one can make all the difference in effective communication.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some different contexts and how the choice between speaking and writing might change:

As you can see, the choice between speaking and writing depends largely on the context in which they are used. By understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each mode of communication, we can make more informed decisions about when to use each one.

Exceptions To The Rules

While there are general rules for using speaking and writing, there are some exceptions where these rules might not apply. Here are some of the most common exceptions:

1. Informal Writing

Informal writing is an exception to the rule that writing should be more formal than speaking. In informal writing, such as emails to friends or social media posts, it is acceptable to use contractions, slang, and even emojis. This type of writing is less structured and more conversational, much like speaking.

2. Technical Writing

Technical writing is an exception to the rule that writing should be more formal than speaking. Technical writing, such as manuals, reports, and scientific papers, requires a more formal tone and specialized vocabulary. This type of writing is often more complex and precise than speaking, as it is intended to convey information accurately and efficiently.

3. Spoken Word Poetry

Spoken word poetry is an exception to the rule that speaking should be less formal than writing. Spoken word poetry is a form of performance art that combines poetry, storytelling, and theatrical elements. It often involves the use of rhythm, rhyme, and repetition, and can be highly structured and polished. In this case, the spoken word is elevated to a level of artistry that is on par with written poetry.

4. Legal Writing

Legal writing is an exception to the rule that writing should be more formal than speaking. Legal writing, such as contracts, briefs, and opinions, requires a highly formal tone and specialized vocabulary. This type of writing is often dense and complex, and requires a great deal of precision and attention to detail. It is intended to convey legal concepts and arguments clearly and persuasively.

5. Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication is an exception to the rule that speaking and writing are the only forms of communication. Nonverbal communication, such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, can convey meaning and emotion without words. In some cases, nonverbal communication can be more powerful and effective than words alone.

Overall, while there are general rules for using speaking and writing, there are exceptions where these rules might not apply. Understanding these exceptions can help you communicate more effectively in a variety of situations.

Practice Exercises

Improving one’s understanding and use of speaking and writing in sentences requires practice. Here are some exercises that can help:

1. Sentence Completion

Provide a sentence with a missing word or phrase, and ask readers to complete it in writing. For example:

• The best way to learn a new language is to…
• When it comes to public speaking, I feel most confident when…

Include answer keys or explanations for each exercise to help readers understand why certain words or phrases were the correct choice.

2. Sentence Transformation

Provide a sentence and ask readers to transform it in a specific way. For example:

• Transform this sentence from passive voice to active voice: “The cake was baked by my grandmother.”
• Transform this sentence from a question to a statement: “Did you remember to turn off the lights?”

Again, include answer keys or explanations for each exercise to help readers understand the reasoning behind the correct transformation.

3. Pronunciation Practice

Provide a list of words that are commonly mispronounced and ask readers to practice saying them out loud. For example:

Include audio recordings of the correct pronunciation to help readers practice.

By incorporating these practice exercises into their daily routine, readers can improve their speaking and writing skills and become more confident communicators.

After examining the differences between speaking and writing, it is clear that both forms of communication have their unique strengths and weaknesses. While speaking allows for more immediate and spontaneous expression, writing offers the opportunity for more thoughtful and precise communication.

One key takeaway from this article is the importance of understanding the audience and purpose of communication. Whether speaking or writing, it is essential to tailor the message to the intended audience and to communicate effectively to achieve the desired outcome.

Another takeaway is the significance of grammar and language use in both speaking and writing. While the rules may differ slightly between the two forms, proper grammar and language use are crucial for clear and effective communication.

It is important to continue learning about grammar and language use to improve communication skills. Resources such as grammar books, online courses, and language exchange programs can all be valuable tools for improving both speaking and writing abilities.

Overall, by understanding the differences between speaking and writing and utilizing the strengths of each, individuals can improve their communication skills and effectively convey their messages to their intended audience.

Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.

Difference between Speech and Writing

Speech and writing are two primary forms of communication, each with its own characteristics and conventions.

What Is Speech?

Speech is the act of expressing thoughts, ideas, and emotions through spoken language. It involves the production of sounds using the vocal apparatus, which includes the lungs, vocal cords, mouth, and tongue.

What Is Writing?

Writing is a method of human communication that involves the representation of language through a system of symbols, usually known as letters or characters. It is a visual and permanent form of communication that allows for the recording and dissemination of information across time and space.

Both speech and writing have their unique strengths and are suited to different contexts and purposes. Speech, with its immediacy and interactivity, is ideal for dynamic, real-time communication. Writing, with its permanence and precision, is perfect for detailed, thoughtful, and lasting communication. By understanding these differences, we can leverage the strengths of each mode to enhance our communication effectiveness in various situations.

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Speaking versus Writing

The pen is mightier than the spoken word. or is it.

Josef Essberger

The purpose of all language is to communicate - that is, to move thoughts or information from one person to another person.

There are always at least two people in any communication. To communicate, one person must put something "out" and another person must take something "in". We call this "output" (>>>) and "input" (<<<).

• I speak to you (OUTPUT: my thoughts go OUT of my head).
• You listen to me (INPUT: my thoughts go INto your head).
• You write to me (OUTPUT: your thoughts go OUT of your head).
• I read your words (INPUT: your thoughts go INto my head).

So language consists of four "skills": two for output (speaking and writing); and two for input (listening and reading. We can say this another way - two of the skills are for "spoken" communication and two of the skills are for "written" communication:

Spoken: >>> Speaking - mouth <<< Listening - ear

Written: >>> Writing - hand <<< Reading - eye

What are the differences between Spoken and Written English? Are there advantages and disadvantages for each form of communication?

When we learn our own (native) language, learning to speak comes before learning to write. In fact, we learn to speak almost automatically. It is natural. But somebody must teach us to write. It is not natural. In one sense, speaking is the "real" language and writing is only a representation of speaking. However, for centuries, people have regarded writing as superior to speaking. It has a higher "status". This is perhaps because in the past almost everybody could speak but only a few people could write. But as we shall see, modern influences are changing the relative status of speaking and writing.

Differences in Structure and Style

We usually write with correct grammar and in a structured way. We organize what we write into sentences and paragraphs. We do not usually use contractions in writing (though if we want to appear very friendly, then we do sometimes use contractions in writing because this is more like speaking.) We use more formal vocabulary in writing (for example, we might write "the car exploded" but say "the car blew up") and we do not usually use slang. In writing, we must use punctuation marks like commas and question marks (as a symbolic way of representing things like pauses or tone of voice in speaking).

We usually speak in a much less formal, less structured way. We do not always use full sentences and correct grammar. The vocabulary that we use is more familiar and may include slang. We usually speak in a spontaneous way, without preparation, so we have to make up what we say as we go. This means that we often repeat ourselves or go off the subject. However, when we speak, other aspects are present that are not present in writing, such as facial expression or tone of voice. This means that we can communicate at several levels, not only with words.

One important difference between speaking and writing is that writing is usually more durable or permanent. When we speak, our words live for a few moments. When we write, our words may live for years or even centuries. This is why writing is usually used to provide a record of events, for example a business agreement or transaction.

Speaker & Listener / Writer & Reader

When we speak, we usually need to be in the same place and time as the other person. Despite this restriction, speaking does have the advantage that the speaker receives instant feedback from the listener. The speaker can probably see immediately if the listener is bored or does not understand something, and can then modify what he or she is saying.

When we write, our words are usually read by another person in a different place and at a different time. Indeed, they can be read by many other people, anywhere and at any time. And the people reading our words, can do so at their leisure, slowly or fast. They can re-read what we write, too. But the writer cannot receive immediate feedback and cannot (easily) change what has been written.

How Speaking and Writing Influence Each Other

In the past, only a small number of people could write, but almost everybody could speak. Because their words were not widely recorded, there were many variations in the way they spoke, with different vocabulary and dialects in different regions. Today, almost everybody can speak and write. Because writing is recorded and more permanent, this has influenced the way that people speak, so that many regional dialects and words have disappeared. (It may seem that there are already too many differences that have to be learned, but without writing there would be far more differences, even between, for example, British and American English.) So writing has had an important influence on speaking. But speaking can also influence writing. For example, most new words enter a language through speaking. Some of them do not live long. If you begin to see these words in writing it usually means that they have become "real words" within the language and have a certain amount of permanence.

Influence of New Technology

Modern inventions such as sound recording, telephone, radio, television, fax or email have made or are making an important impact on both speaking and writing. To some extent, the divisions between speaking and writing are becoming blurred. Emails are often written in a much less formal way than is usual in writing. With voice recording, for example, it has for a long time been possible to speak to somebody who is not in the same place or time as you (even though this is a one-way communication: we can speak or listen, but not interact). With the telephone and radiotelephone, however, it became possible for two people to carry on a conversation while not being in the same place. Today, the distinctions are increasingly vague, so that we may have, for example, a live television broadcast with a mixture of recordings, telephone calls, incoming faxes and emails and so on. One effect of this new technology and the modern universality of writing has been to raise the status of speaking. Politicians who cannot organize their thoughts and speak well on television win very few votes.

English Checker

• aspect: a particular part or feature of something
• dialect: a form of a language used in a specific region
• formal: following a set of rules; structured; official
• status: level or rank in a society
• spontaneous: not planned; unprepared
• structured: organized; systematic

Note : instead of "spoken", some people say "oral" (relating to the mouth) or "aural" (relating to the ear).

© 2011 Josef Essberger

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Writing vs. Speaking – The Similarities and Differences

If you work somewhere as a writer, you may have often heard your supervisor saying: ‘Please, try to write in the way you speak so that we can sell our products effectively.’ If you are an expert at Grammar, you may reply to your supervisor:  How can I express punctuation marks while speaking?  Both you and your supervisor are right. Writing and speaking do have similarities; however, people need to know that there are also differences between the two. Without further ado, let’s have a look at the similarities and differences between writing and speaking: 

The Similarities between Writing and Speaking

Point #1:  Writers are motivated to speak to the audience as per their needs while writing, and the speakers do the same thing.

Point #2:  You need to highlight essential points in the form of a summary, whether you are writing or speaking.

Point #3:  You need to stick to the point while writing, so you need to keep the length of your sentences to eight to fifteen (8 to 15) words while writing. You need to remain clear while speaking, so you need to remain restricted to a few words to convey your message correctly.

Point #4:  While writing, you focus on keywords to convey your message, and you make a strong emphasis on words that can deliver your message well to the audience. Thus, both writers and speakers speak of the keywords.

Point #5:  Make a valid claim if you want to sell, particularly if you’re going to sell your product by writing. You need to do the same while speaking; otherwise, your audience can switch to your competitors.

Point #6:  Jargons are bad, so you shouldn’t use them while speaking and writing.  Why?  Because the whole world has no time to chat and produce slang words.

Point #7:  Whether you speak or write, you need to repeat important words to ensure your message is being conveyed to the audience.

Point #8:  You will need to come up with a good message to win your audience’s trust. Thus, you need to edit your content and proofread while reading; the same goes for speech.

Point #9:  You need a theme to start with while writing or speaking.

Point #10:  Pictures can speak a thousand words. You need to use them while you want to elaborate on something while writing. You also need to use the pictures to express your message to the target audience while giving a presentation.

Point #11:  Use strong words while you speak or write. For instance, you can use the following sentence while speaking or writing: ‘Each participant has an  equal chance  (strong words) of selection.’

Point #12:  Explain your point while writing and speaking to let the audience understand what you want to convey to them.

The Differences between Writing and Speaking

Point #1:  Readers want to read whenever they have a desire for it. For example: ‘Readers may pick up a book, white paper, and a proposal to read it.’ Thus, writers can get the readers’ attention easily. However, the listeners don’t plan to listen to you all day; hence, you need to stick to the point while speaking to the audience.

Point #2:  You can easily interpret emotion from a speaker than an author. Yes, writers can bring feelings in you; nonetheless, if you are writing a business letter, you should avoid emotional words if you want to get your reader’s attention. Business is a serious deal; therefore, you should avoid emotions in business writing.

Point #3:  If you want to feel your audience’s response with your own eyes, you can rely on speaking.  Why?  Because writers don’t convey their messages in front of the audience.

Point #4:  The proper usage of Grammar can make your write-ups better. You can’t do that while speaking because you make loads of grammatical mistakes while speaking. For instance, ‘A comma is used for a pause in writing; however, while speaking, you may avoid that pause and may spoil your speech to convey your message to the audience better.’

Finally, if you know many other similarities and differences between writing and speaking, you can share them in the form of comments.

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Speaking vs writing 1: Alan buys milk

Another way to think about what’s involved in writing clearly is to think about the differences between speaking and writing. Because both use words, we assume they are the same but they are very different. The following example will help you think about the differences. Picture this: it’s Saturday morning, the family’s just sat down to breakfast when Dad realises there’s no milk. So he asks his eldest son Alan to go and get some. He says: “Drat! No milk – I can’t eat my cornflakes without some nice cold milk. Just pop out to the mini-mart, would you Alan? Better get a two pinta. Oh, and you’ll find some money in my jacket pocket.”

Speaking vs writing 2: a robot buys milk

Now picture this: imagine you had to write a computer program to tell a robot to go and buy milk. Where would you start? You would have to think of the most logical order for all the actions the robot would need to perform in order to buy milk. Dad’s instruction to Alan assumes that Alan already knows all sorts of information: where his jacket is, which pocket he usually keeps his money, where the mini-mart is, the visual difference between a one pint and two pint carton. The robot will know none of these things unless you put them in the program. You would also have to give the program a logical name or title so that when the program loaded the robot’s brain would be able to distinguish it from all the other programs in its memory. So in your writing at university, don’t be afraid to be obvious. One of the reasons tutors set essays is so you can show what you know.

Speaking vs writing 3: look at me when I’m talking to you

Another crucial difference between speaking and writing is that we can see people when we talk to them. We transmit and receive all sorts of non-verbal information when we’re talking to them. Think about the effect it has on you when someone talks to you but keeps staring at the floor and never looks at you once. We communicate all sorts of information by facial expression, hand gestures, tone of voice. We can’t do any of these things in a piece of writing. We have to find different ways of doing them; and we have to be sure that our writing isn’t doing things we don’t want it to.

Speaking vs writing 4: know what I mean?

Another crucial difference between speaking and writing is that speaking is informal, less structured, more colloquial – know what I mean? When we speak, we often start sentences in the middle. An important part of writing at university is to understand who you are writing for. To put this another way, when you are writing an essay you are not down the pub with your mates. In an essay, you can’t put things like the following sentence I once read in a first draft: “Apparently, imperialism has been going for ages – how weird is that?” The person who reads your essay will expect you to write in a serious and considered way.

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What Are the Differences Between Speaking and Writing?

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Speech Vs. Essay

How to Determine the Tone of an Essay

Writing a speech and writing an essay are two different experiences. While both the speech writer and the essay writer communicate information to a live audience or reading audience, the steps the writers go through to create the final version require varying methods, such as the choice of diction and dramatic effect.

Speech writing requires that a writer communicates a specific theme or topic to an audience. She uses a tone in her writing that produces an emotional effect on the audience. A presidential speech, for example, often uses a particular diction, full of patriotic, hopeful, grave or uplifting tones. While an essay also relies on tone for dramatic effect, the essay writer has less of a demand to please all members of her audience than the speech writer. For example, if you write a personal essay about a life-changing trip, you do not need for every person to admire your essay and the tone in which you compose it --- it is more written to make a point than to win over an audience. In general, a speech appeals to a specific audience in a certain place and time, while an essay communicates with a general audience.

Each essay format --- narrative, expository or personal --- follows a basic structure. It usually includes an introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs and a conclusion that synthesizes the information. A speech also has a particular format, with an introduction, examples and a conclusion, but the speech writer will often restate a point at the end of each section of the speech to ensure the audience is "with" him or her. Because the essayist understands that the writer can reread the last paragraph, or reread the entire essay again, he does not need to reiterate statements. Rather, an essay's structure relies on smooth transitions to the next theme.

Giving a Speech

The speech writer "performs" or delivers his speech in a way that gives his ideas, or themes, a particular meaning. For example, Martin Luther King wrote his "Dream" speech in the first-person "I" voice to produce an emotional impact on his listeners. In essay writing, a writer connects with her audience, whether live or on the page, without trying to win them over with her delivery.

Reading an Essay

An essay presenter only needs to look up from his paper every few minutes, while a person delivering a speech must deliver by memorization, only occasionally glancing at the page or screen. While an individual can read an essay either in an impassioned and enthusiastic or a sad and grave tone, the audience, in general, is more interested in hearing the quality of writing and information than the delivery, as they are for a speech.

Related Articles

How to Write an Introduction to an Analytical Essay

How to Establish Credibility in an Informative Speech

How to Write a Critical Analysis of a Speech

How to Analyze Expository Writing

How to Set Up a Rhetorical Analysis

How to Write an Essay in Conversation Style

How to Write a Speech About Someone I Admire

How to Write a Speech Essay

• Scholastic; Speechwriting With Karen Finney and Lou Giansante
• Inc.; Writing and Organizing a Winning Speech;Patricia Fripp; October 2000
• The University of Hong Kong Centre for Applied English Studies; Characteristics of Different Types of Essays
• Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Essay Structure; Elizabeth Abrams; 2000

Noelle Carver has been a freelance writer since 2009, with work published in "SSYK" and "The Wolf," two U.K. literary journals. Carver holds a Bachelor of Arts in literature from American University and a Master of Fine Arts in writing from The New School. She lives in New York City.

Speaking and Writing: Similarities and Differences

by Alan | May 2, 2017 | Communication skills , public speaking , writing

Similarities and Differences Between Speaking and Writing

There are many similarities between speaking and writing. While I’ve never considered myself a writer by trade, I have long recognized the similarities between writing and speaking. Writing my book was the single best thing I’ve ever done for my business.  It solidified our teaching model and clarified and organized our training content better than any other method I’d ever tried.

A few weeks ago I was invited by a client to attend a proposal writing workshop led by Robin Ritchey .  Since I had helped with the oral end of proposals, the logic was that I would enjoy (or gain insight) from learning about the writing side.  Boy, were they right.  Between day one and two, I was asked by the workshop host to give a few thoughts on the similarities of writing to speaking.  These insights helped me recognize some weaknesses in my writing and also to see how the two crafts complement each other.

Similarities between Speaking and Writing

Here are some of the similarities I find between speaking and writing:

• Rule #1 – writers are encouraged to speak to the audience and their needs. Speakers should do the same thing.
• Organization, highlight, summary (tell ‘em what you’re going to tell them, tell them, tell them what you told them). Structure helps a reader/listener follow along.
• No long sentences. A written guideline is 12-15 words.  Sentences in speaking are the same way.  T.O.P.  Use punctuation.  Short and sweet.
• Make it easy to find what they are looking for (Be as subtle as a sledgehammer!) .
• Avoid wild, unsubstantiated claims. If you are saying the same thing as everyone else, then you aren’t going to stand out.
• Use their language. Avoid internal lingo that only you understand.
• The audience needs to walk away with a repeatable message.
• Iteration and thinking are key to crafting a good message. In writing, this is done through editing.  A well prepared speech should undergo the same process.  Impromptu is slightly different, but preparing a good structure and knowing a core message is true for all situations.
• Build from an outline; write modularly. Good prose follows from a good structure, expanding details as necessary.  Good speakers build from a theme/core message, instead of trying to reduce everything they know into a time slot.  It’s a subtle mindset shift that makes all the difference in meeting an audience’s needs.
• Make graphics (visuals) have a point. Whether it’s a table, figure, or slide, it needs to have a point.  Project schedule is not a point.  Network diagram is not a point.  Make the “action caption” – what is the visual trying to say? – first, then add the visual support.
• Find strong words. My editor once told me, “ An adverb means you have a weak verb. ”  In the workshop, a participant said, “ You are allowed one adverb per document. ”  Same is true in speaking – the more powerful your words, the more impact they will have.  Really (oops, there was mine).
• Explain data, don’t rely on how obvious it is. Subtlety doesn’t work.

Differences between Speaking and Writing

There are also differences.  Here are three elements of speaking that don’t translate well to (business) writing:

• Readers have some inherent desire to read. They picked up your book, proposal, white paper, or letter and thus have some motivation.  Listeners frequently do not have that motivation, so it is incumbent on the speaker to earn attention, and do so quickly.  Writers can get right to the point.  Speakers need to get attention before declaring the point.
• Emotion is far easier to interpret from a speaker than an author. In business writing, I would coach a writer to avoid emotion.  While it is a motivating factor in any decision, you cannot accurately rely on the interpretation of sarcasm, humor, sympathy, or fear to be consistent across audience groups.  Speakers can display emotion through gestures, voice intonations, and facial expressions to get a far greater response.  It is interesting to note that these skills are also the most neglected in speakers I observe – it apparently isn’t natural, but it is possible.
• Lastly, a speaker gets the benefit of a live response. She can answer questions, or respond to a quizzical look.  She can spend more time in one area and speed through another based on audience reaction.  And this also can bring an energy to the speech that helps the emotion we just talked about.  With the good comes the bad.  A live audience frequently brings with it fear and insecurity – and another channel of behaviors to monitor and control.

Speaking and writing are both subsets of the larger skill of communicating.  Improving communication gives you more impact and influence. And improving is something anyone can do! Improve your speaking skills at our Powerful, Persuasive Speaking Workshop  and improve your writing skills at our Creating Powerful, Persuasive Content Workshop .

Communication matters.  What are you saying?

This article was published in the May 2017 edition of our monthly speaking tips email, Communication Matters. Have speaking tips like these delivered straight to your inbox every month. Sign up today  and receive our FREE download, “Twelve Tips that will Save You from Making a Bad Presentation.”   You can unsubscribe at any time.

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• DOI: 10.2307/3087922
• Corpus ID: 147363484

Syntactic Differences Between Speech and Writing

• R. O'donnell
• Published 21 January 1974
• Linguistics
• American Speech

115 Citations

On the differences between spoken and written language.

• Highly Influenced
• 11 Excerpts

Do writing and speaking employ the same syntactic representations

Grammar in spoken and written english, register, genre, and style: interpersonal spoken registers, the syntax-lexicon tradeoff in writing, investigating lexical and syntactic differences in written and spoken english corpora, newly emerging subordinators in spoken/written english, written registers, genres, and styles, the effects of pragmatics and discourse style on recognition memory for sentences., a textual comparison of british and american writing, 9 references, a transformational analysis of oral and written grammatical structures in the language of children in grades three, five, and seven, levels of abstraction in spoken and written language., a quantitative examination of differences and similarities in written and spoken messages, psychogrammatical factors in oral and written discourse by skilled communicators, a linguistic analysis of oral and written style, speaking and writing—a study of differences, grammatical structures written at three grade levels, linguistics and english grammar, grammatical structures written at three grade levels. ncte research report no. 3., related papers.

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• / What’s the Difference between Speech and Writing?

What’s the Difference between Speech and Writing?

• November 29, 2010

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• Artcles: Advanced

When we talk about ‘language’, sometimes we mean speech (spoken language), sometimes writing (written language). How are they different? Of course, speech is spoken and heard, while writing is written and read. But there are many other differences:

Age. Speech goes back to human beginnings, perhaps a million years ago. Writing is relatively recent, however; it was first invented by the Sumerians, in Mesopotamia, around 3200 B.C. Since then, the idea of writing has spread around the world and different writing systems have evolved in different parts of the world.

Universality. Humans everywhere can speak. But before the Sumerian invention, people were nonliterate. Even now there are many nonliterate groups (e.g. in New Guinea), and many nonliterate people in officially literate societies.

Acquisition. People everywhere start speaking during the first two years of life; many of the abilities involved are probably inborn rather than learned. Learning to write typically builds on learning to speak.

Levels of Structure. Speech consists of two types of basic units: ‘Phonemes’ or units of sound, which are themselves meaningless, are combined into ‘morphemes’, which are meaningful units; so the phonemes /b/, /i/, /t/ form the word ‘bit’. Alphabetic scripts work the same way. In a different type of script, the syllabary, the basic unit, corresponds to a spoken syllable; Japanese and Cherokee use this system. In logographic script, e.g. Chinese, each character corresponds to an entire morpheme (usually a word). (For further information on scripts, see Daniels and Bright 1996.)

Interdependence. Most literate people can convey the same messages in either speech or writing, but speech typically conveys more explicit information than writing. Hebrew and Arabic scripts indicate consonants but often omit symbols for vowels. In Chinese, the symbols that correspond to words may give no indication of pronunciation, or only partial cues. The spoken and written forms of a given language tend to correspond on one or more levels and may influence each other—as when ‘through’ is spelled ‘thru’. Conversely, in spelling pronunciation, people may come to pronounce the ‘t’ in ‘often’ even though historically it had been lost. Some formal literary styles, like Classical Chinese, acquire a life of their own in written form and have little direct relationship to speech.

Retrievability. Until the invention of magnetic recording, speech could not be captured or preserved, except by fallible memories and by writing. But writing can be preserved for millennia. Its permanence has made possible such human institutions as libraries, histories, schedules, dictionaries, menus, and what we generally call ‘civilization’.

Literary Use. Nonliterate societies have traditions—songs, rituals, legends, myths—composed orally and preserved by memory. Such texts may be called oral literature. By contrast, writing permits what is more often called ‘literature’, i.e. bodies of text which are much larger and more codified than memory permits. Yet even in literate societies, dramatic performance and reading aloud remain important traditions.

Prestige. Written language is associated with political and economic power, admired literature, and educational institutions, all of which lend it high prestige. In literate societies, people often come to think of their written language as basic; they may regard speech as inferior. Nevertheless, writing can be perceived as colder or more impersonal than speech.

Standardization. Spoken languages have dialects—forms varying across geographical areas and social groups. But in complex societies that use writing, the needs of communication encourage moves toward a single written norm, codified by governmental, educational, and literary institutions. The prestige of the written standard is then likely to influence speech as well.

Formality. Communication may be formal or casual. In literate societies, writing may be associated with formal style and speech, with casual style. In formal circumstances (oratory, sermons), a person may ‘talk like a book’, adapting written style for use in speech. Formal and informal styles may be very distinct, e.g. in Arabic, and can virtually be different languages.

Change. Spoken language, everywhere and always, undergoes continual change of which speakers may be relatively unaware. Written language, because of its permanence and standardization, shows slower and less sweeping changes; the spelling of English has changed much less than its pronunciation since Chaucer’s time. This in turn is linked to the factors of formality and prestige.

by William Bright