Communication is a composite phenomenon that enables people to impart skills, knowledge, or information from one source (person) to the other. Most people intuitively comprehend the differences between speech and writing as the two major forms of communication.
Speech is a form of communication that can address a large audience at once while written form of communication only applies when the audience is literate therefore, the information can reach only a few people.
Oral communication promotes fundamental interaction between the speaker and the audience, which enables the speaker to study effectively the people at hand.
Due to the dynamism of speech as a means of communication, it has a great impact on the confidence, speaking, and listening skills of students while the static nature of written communication greatly affects writing skills, grammar, content of information, and quality of essays in colleges.
When compared to an oral presentation, a written paper is precise, elaborate, lengthy, permanent, and easier to comprehend by the reader. Consequently, the audience or reader has the ability to retain the written information and even refer to the paper sometimes later.
Therefore, the precision and permanence of written information gives the writer the chance to choose carefully his/her words before jotting them down. Moreover the writer has the ability to re-read or re-write the paper as many times as s/he can because he/she has enough time to assemble the intended information (Ferraro & Palmer, 1996).
Thus, the accuracy and durability of written communication enable college students to write good and quality essays as they can refer to the information given by the lecturers. Moreover, students can rewrite or re-read their essays correcting where necessary to ensure they meet the requirements of the lecturer.
Additionally, students can study a written paper from a lecturer or another student and apply the methodology or tactics in their essays therefore, perfecting on their writing skills.
Although speeches can be accurate, they need adequate time and concentration from both the audience and the speaker because the information presented is only temporary.
Sometimes the wrongful interpretation of information or a mistake during the utterance of words from the speaker is the major disadvantage of oral communication (Kegan, & Biber, 1996, p.5). Therefore, the audience always calls for clarification or apology from the speaker, which gives a bad public impression.
The main solution is for the speaker to write down his/her speech and re-read several times to comprehend the info and avoid any controversies during the presentation. Fortunately, the major implication of speeches to the student fraternity is that it enables them to improve their spoken language and listening skills.
For any student to succeed in his/her education he/she has to pay attention to the lecturers who most of the time communicates orally. In addition, students have to sharpen their intellectual level and pick out major points from an oral representation.
On the contrary, the major advantage of oral communication is that it promotes the interaction between the audience and the speaker, which is not the case with written communication.
Through tonal variation, use of gestures, visuals, and eye contacts, both the speaker and the audience interact therefore, understanding the speaker’s ideas (Ferraro & Palmer, 1996). A speaker is able to control the audience, something that a writer cannot do.
Consequently, the speaker can get feedback from the audience through facial expressions or through question time and assess the impact of his/her speech or ideas. On the other hand, a speaker should not continually re-read the same information he/she is speaking because the audience might loose concentration. All speakers should be interesting and prepare short speeches to avoid creating boredom while presenting their work.
When the some people in the audience start sleeping, peeping through windows, playing with their phones, or even walking away, is a clear sign of boredom. Therefore, to avoid such embarrassment, the speaker should study his/her audience prior to the presentation and put in mind their likes and dislikes (Tannen, 1982, p.10).
On the other hand, the major implication of interaction between the speaker and audience (students) enlightens the student on how to present an oral speech or write a quality essay on speech presentation. Through interaction and personal experience, the students retain the information presented to them by the lecturer or any other information source.
In summary, speech and written forms of communication are the main forms applied in the education system. The dynamic nature of speech calls for both the speaker and the audience to practice attentiveness to improve both the spoken language and listening skills.
On the other hand, the static nature of written form of communication improves the writing skills and the understanding ability of the reader. A written document is permanent and is important for future reference while speech promotes the interaction of the audience and the speaker.
Therefore, the major implication of both speech and written communication is that they improve both the writing and listening skills of the students, which enables them to write quality essays.
References
Ferraro, V., & Palmer K.C. (1996). Differences between Oral and Written Communication: Speaking and Arguing: The Rhetoric of Peace and War. Web.
Kegan, P., & Biber, D. (1988). Variation across Speech and Writing: Comprehending Oral and Written Language. USA: Routledge.
Tannen, D. (1982). Spoken and Written Language: Exploring Orality and Literacy. New Jersey: Ablex.