Final answer:
Oral and written communication both involve verbal expression, though they differ in formality, ability for revision, permanence, and modes of delivery. Written communication is usually more formal, allows for editing, and is permanent, while oral communication offers immediate interaction but is transient.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oral and written communication are similar in that both are ways to convey ideas and information to others. However, there are key differences between the two. One similarity is that both oral communication and written communication involve the verbal expression of thoughts, involving a complex system of symbols and language understanding. However, they differ in several aspects:
- Unlike written communication which can be edited and revised, oral communication is more transient and cannot be changed once delivered.
- Contrary to the statement that oral communication is more formal, it is actually written communication that often has a more formal tone, especially in business and academic contexts.
- While oral communication can capitalize on tone, inflection, and immediate feedback from the audience, written communication relies on text structure, words and visual cues like punctuation and layout to convey meaning.
- Oral communication is not permanent in the way written communication is, as spoken words can only be preserved through recording, whereas written words remain accessible and unchanging once printed or digitally recorded.