Read Chapter 4.1: Oral versus Written Communication in Saylor Academy (Ed.) 2012 Business Communication for Success.

The reading discusses differences and similarities between oral and written communication. In both contexts, effective communication depends on knowing your subject and audience, and presenting clear, concise messages. Both contexts also rely on:

• the eight essential elements of communication,
• aspects of verbal communication in what you say, and
• non-verbal communication in how you say it.

However, in oral communication, key non-verbal cues include voice tone, facial expression, and body language; in written communication, by contrast, non-verbal communication techniques include the use of colour, images, and font.

Face-to-face oral communication often allows immediate feedback, while written communication is usually asynchronous (in other words, the actions of writing and reading are not happening at the same time), so it requires even more care to ensure that the message is clear.

If you wish, you can also watch the following video from Saylor Academy on Oral versus Written Communication. [6:14 min.] which summarises the points made in the reading.

Review the definitions of the following pairs of words and make sure you understand them, as you will come across them often in your studies about communication:

• Oral communication = communication that is spoken, e.g. a conversation, a speech, a podcast
• Written communication = communication that is written down, e.g. a letter, email, book, web-page

• Verbal communication = communication that uses words – the words can be spoken or written
• Non-verbal communication = communication that does not use words, e.g. body language, tone of voice, font, images.

• Synchronous communication = an exchange of communications in which replies are made immediately, e.g. a face-to-face conversation, a live online chat
• Asynchronous communication = an exchange of communications happening over an extended period of time, e.g. an exchange of emails, an online forum

You may find it helpful to make a note of these words and their meanings in your learning journal.

The reading explained interference as the eighth element of communication. Think about an example of ‘interference’ in written communications that you have experienced recently. What caused the interference? What was the consequence?

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