Writing is form of communication
and a process of transferring ideas into product of writing; translating out
thought into language. The dictionary says that communication in “the act of
imparting, transmitting, or interchanging thoughts, opinions, or information by
speech or writing”. That meaning seems quite simple. Just open your mouth and
speak, or else jot a few words on paper. After all, most of us communicate
hundreds of times each day, and most of our needs are met, part of the time. Although
we may have the capacity to create and use good communications techniques, most
of us rarely do so with anything like complete effectiveness.
All communications consist of
three essential elements:
- The sender;
- The message;
- The receiver.
A successful communication
transfers an idea in one person’s head into another person’s head with as
little change from the original thought as possible. Every message, whether it
is written or spoken, has to pass through seven steps, called the communication
process.
- The sender must perceive
a reason to send the message;
- The sender must encode
the message;
- The sender must actual transmit
the message;
- The message must be
physically received by someone;
- The receiver must decode
the message;
- The receiver must understand
the message;
- The receiver must respond
in some ways.
Though writing we are able to
share ideas, arouse feelings, persuade and convince other people. We are able
to discover and articulate ideas in ways that only writing make possible (White
& Arndt, 1991). Writing as a tool of communication is different from
speaking, because writing involves work. For most purposes, to write the way
one talk is not to write at all, in this case, Mc Roberts (1981) says that the
different between using talk and using writing to communicate is like the
different between snakes-and-ladders and chess: their objective is essentially
the same but the degree of control, thought and style is radically different
(1981:5).
Although writing and speaking are
equally used for communication, but they have differences, namely:
- Writing is usually
permanent and written texts cannot usually be changed once they have been
printed / printed out.
Speech is usually transient,
unless recorded, and speakers can correct themselves and change their
utterances as they go along.
- A written text can
communicate across time and space for as long as the particular language
and writing system is still understood
Speech is usually used for immediate
communication.
- Written language tends to
be more complex and intricate than speech with longer sentences and many
subordinate clauses. The punctuation and layout of written texts also have
no spoken equivalent. However some forms of written language, such as
instant messages and email, are closer to spoken language.
Spoken language tends to be full
of repetition, incomplete sentences, corrections and interruptions, with the
exception of formal speeches and other scripted forms of speech, such as news
reports and scripts for plays and films.
- Writers receive no
immediate feedback from their readers, except in computer-based
communication. Therefore, they cannot rely on context to clarify things so
there is more need to explain things clearly and unambiguously than in
speech, except in written correspondence between people who know one
another well.
Speech is usually a dynamic
interaction between two or more people. Context and shared knowledge play a
major role, so it is possible to leave much unsaid or indirectly implied.
- Writers can use
punctuation, headings, layout, colors, and other graphical effects in
their written texts. Such things are not available in speech.
Speech can use timing,
intonation, volume, and timbre to add emotional context.
- Written material can be
read repeatedly and closely analyzed, and notes can be made on the writing
surface.
Only recorded speech can be used
in this way.
- Some grammatical
constructions are only used in writing, as are some kinds of vocabulary,
such as some complex chemical and legal terms.
Some types of vocabulary are used
only or mainly in speech. This include slang expressions, and tags such as y’know,
like, etc.
