The Superiority of Writing to Speech
Traditionally, writing has often been considered the superior mode of
communication: since the medieval age, when the majority of the
populace was illiterate, the ability to write acknowledged one as a
member of the upper class social elite, this association having
secured writings connection with scholarship and knowledge. Certainly,
there exists a myriad advantages afforded by writing. However, in more
recent years the significance of speech has been increasingly
recognized, partly through the development of technology such as the
telephone, television and radio. This mode of communication is now
rated more highly- for example, by GCSE examining boards, which now
consider 'speaking and listening' to be an integral component of the
English examination. Writing is not ultimately superior to speech- the
two modes each have their own uses and appropriateness to different
situations.
In certain circumstances, writing would appear to exist as the
superior mode of communication. A significant advantage of writing
over speech is its permanence rather than it being transient
(notwithstanding technological developments of the last century,
enabling speech to be recorded). Therefore, a piece of writing may be
read by different people, in many different times and places. Further
suggestions that writing is superior to speech originate from the fact
that the reader holds a variety of advantages over the listener. The
reader is able to assimilate written information at their own pace,
and possess the ability to return to the written text to refresh their
memory and confir...
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... more rapidly than writing (a maximum of 175
words per minute, whilst writing affords a maximum of 25 words per
minute). There therefore exists a case for arguing that speech affords
the highest rate of communication. Speech is often regarded as being
responsible for introducing neologisms into language, and therefore
for keeping English 'alive' through a wide and varied possible lexis.
All of these examples suggest that in some ways, and in certain
situations, speech may exist as the superior mode of communication.
It may thus be seen that, despite the social and literary
considerations of writing existing as the superior mode of
communication, neither mode is truly superior to the other, since each
has its own advantages and disadvantages, the two modes being entirely
appropriate to completely different situations.
In the article, “Does Texting Affect Writing?”, the author Michaela Cullington conveys her speculation that texting does not correlate to how students write formal essays. At the beginning of the article Cullington introduces the term texting and the convenience texting brings. Later expressing her concern that the texting language “Textspeak” is actually affecting students writing; then contradicts these views by using primary and secondary sources (news articles, books, her own surveys and research). In addition, she uses an anecdote to tell of her own experience with texting and writing. Together with other evidences and research put together, she uncovers the debate between textspeak and formal writing. On the basis of her research, she concludes that the state of texting does not interfere with writing or writing abilities.
The power of writing is not only limited to telling a story on a piece of paper, but can help many grow wiser as individuals and bring many closer as a community. Finding Forrester, Louder Than A Bomb and Freedom Writers depicted the growth of maturity in the characters personalities alongside with improving their writing and reading skills. In these films, writing was used as a life-changing tool for the characters to expand their personal point of view. The characters in these films needed mentorship to realize the power of their life experiences and used the writing process as a safe and productive outlet of their emotions and feelings.
Writing, according to an article in Times Magazine titled “Is Texting Killing the English Language” by John McWhorter, is an art that has been around for about 5,500 years. Since writing is deliberate and takes more time to compose, it’s usually better thought out and sounds more sophisticated. Speech, on the other hand, is more of an “unconscious” practice.
Authors Mayher, Lester and Pradl (1983) in their book titled, Learning to Write, Writing to Learn describe writing as a two goal endeavor. First, the only way one can learn to write is by writing. Second, “writing can be a means for learning.” The authors’ views of both goals of writing are not traditional views. Writing serves as an “engaging transaction through which the learner makes her own connections and builds her own meaning.” The addition of the writing standards for science from the Common Core standards mirrors the goals of Mayhner, Lester and Pradl (1983). Writing within the science curriculum allows students to make meaning and learning their own.
In The Power of Writing by Joel Swerdlow, we are presented to the importance of writing to our civilization. Throughout the years written information has emerged as a primary method of communication. Individuals use whatever is available to write to convey their message. Early forms of writing include carving symbols in stone and bone, written leaves, silk, papyrus, parchment and paper. At the present time writing is used in many settings; for example we have books, text messages, online blogs, lyrics, street signs and emails. There are no limits to written information, and most importantly it can be preserved indefinitely. Writing helps me communicate to others, my identity, creativity and imagination. Individually, I use writing to compose lyrics, write about my personal experiences and to connect with my family. In my opinion, writing is an important tool of communication in my personal and professional development, because it gives an insight of my individual ideas.
In the course of this class, we have discussed the differences between spoken and written language. And it has been generally agreed upon that spoken language is easier than written language. Yet, we seem to have agreed that it is necessary to have a strong grasp of spoken language before learning to write. This is the natural progression for children. They learn to talk first and then we move on to teaching them how to write. Keep this idea in mind. And I agree that spoken language is easier, in a conversational manner. We speak to our ...
While preparing for one of his college lectures, Dennis Baron, a professor and linguistics at the University of Illinois, began playing with the idea of how writing has changed the world we lived in and materials and tools we use in everyday life. This lecture slowly transitioned into “Should Everybody Write?” An article that has made many wonder if technology has made writing too easy for anyone to use or strengthens a writer's ability to learn and communicate their ideas. Baron uses rhetorical strategies in his article to portray to his audience his positive tone, the contrast and comparison of context and his logical purpose.
This method is great for people who like structure and is by no means for every person in the world. It sets rules and strict guidelines that may hurt the creative process for many people. Yet, it will also help you to avoid plot holes. And it will save you from spending unnecessary time trying to figure out where the story should go. Either way it is a great method if you are looking to try something new.
In conclusion writing is one of the most important forms of communication one can have. For an enthusiastic writer like me, is the primary form of communication. Writing lets me express who I am, what I am able to create and how I use my imagination.
Writing and reading are two essential skills that we need to have in order to succeed in any field of study that we have chosen. Without these two we would not be here, wouldn’t be writing right now and would be considered the lowest class of our society. There are different aspects of writing that each of us may, or may not, excel at. Some of us are creative enough to write short stories or even novels on fiction while others, like me, are better at writing essays. To accomplish this we have all had a person to inspire us, to drive us, to get us over the hump of confidence that we need to succeed. Still to be successful we need to count on ourselves to succeed.
Language existed long before writing, emerging probably simultaneously with sapience, abstract thought and the Genus Homo. In my opinion, the signature event that separated the emergence of palaeohumans from their anthropoid progenitors was not tool-making but a rudimentary oral communication that replaced the hoots and gestures still used by lower primates. The transfer of more complex information, ideas and concepts from one individual to another, or to a group, was the single most advantageous evolutionary adaptation for species preservation. As long ago as 25,000-30,000 years BP, humans were painting pictures on cave walls. Whether these pictures were telling a "story" or represented some type of "spirit house" or ritual exercise is not known.
Drouin, Michelle, and Claire Davis. “R u txting? Is the Use of Text Speak Hurting Your Literacy?.” Journal of Literacy Research 41.1 (2009): 46-67. Humanities International Complete. EBSCO. Web. 25 Oct. 2011.
In our English class we had to tell an embarrassing story orally to the entire class. We then made transcripts of our oral story and wrote a descriptive version. Both versions were significantly different from each other in many ways. Our study is on the differences between oral and written communication. When we are speaking and writing to people, content, style, structure and process are all key factors that determine our delivery.
Firstly, a support assistant, special education needs assistant or special educational needs teacher may use visual aid (presentation) to show their colleagues what they are going to teach the children in class. This is because then it will be clear to them what they would need to do to ensure the children do the correct thing.
writing is made up of marks on a surface - such as this full stop at