Difference between Verbal (Oral) and Written Communication

Difference between Verbal (Oral) and Written Communication

Verbal or Oral Communication

1. ‘Verbal or Oral Communication’ implies the transmission of orders, message or suggestions through the spoken words.

2. The media of oral communication are face-to-face talk, speech, lecture, interview, meeting, telephonic talk, video conference, etc.

3. It is an informal method of communication.

4. In oral communication the contact being direct, feedback is imme­diate.

5. It saves time and money as communication is direct.

6. Oral communication is very much flexible.

7. Explanation may be sought and misunderstanding may be removed immediately through discussion.

8. It not understood, immediate clarification is possible in oral communication.

9. Secrecy can be maintained.

10. The employees can be motivated by personal contact.

11. It is expensive to communicate orally with the persons at distant places by telephone.

12. Communication of long message or statistical data is not suitable for it.

13. Uniformity of work procedure cannot be maintained in oral communication.

14. No record is kept generally (unless audio or video tape- recording is made).

15. Unless recorded in tapes, videos, etc. verbal communication can­not be considered as legal evi­dence.

 Written Communication:

1. ‘Written Communication’ means the transmission of message, order or instruction in writing.

2. The media of written commu­nication are a letter, circular, manual, report, telegram, office memo, bulletin, journal, magazine, e-mail, fax, inter­net, etc.

3. It is a formal method of com­munication.

4. In written communication feedback requires some time.

5. It is time-consuming and costly.

6. It is less flexible.

7. The chances of misunder­standing remain unless feed­back is proper.

8. It has no scope for immediate clarification.

9. Secrecy may be endangered.

10. Motivation through written words is less effective.

11. Communication can be made to the person/persons at distant places at a low cost by post, fax or through the internet.

12. Sending of long message or statistical data with accuracy is suitable for written commu­nication.

13. Uniformity of work procedure can be maintained here.

14. A written document preserved properly becomes a perma­nent record of the organization and can be used as future reference.

15. Written communication can easily be used as legal evi­dence.