Which method do you feel is more effective - written or verbal?

It all depends on the context of communication and the recipent of the message conveyed. It is true that one can take time to think and give an appropriate response in a written communication. However, in my opinion, this does not make it more effective. It is allright if it is in a discussion forum where there is no liability or responsibility. It does not matter if people mis-interpret what you have written and make their own assumptions. Besides, a prepared script might not indicate the persons' real intention. Personally, I do prefer written communication but it does not mean that I find it more effective. I only find it more convenient. I would apply verbal communication to get information and confirmation in cases where written communication proves more of a hindrance than help. Verbal communications gives you more clues as to how sincere the other party is especially when a decision has to be made.

I much prefer writing coz you can wrote what you want to say wihout any interaction you can revise,or change the letter if you feel it is not appropiate for the person from whom you will give to. Sometimes you can be more specific of something and remember all you want to say in a letter rather than telling it verbally. But for me after giving I just follow it verbally to show it that I'm sincere what I wrote about.

There are people whom we see everyday and for them oral communication is the best and least expensive. Those who have internet, email communication is better. Those who cannot be reached by email, I use the mobile phone. If they do not have mobile, I send a written letter by post.

I think each of us decides what best fits him or her according to his personality and experiences in life. I can not answer this issue with a general answer, because each of us has a different choice. i know that i do write alote, but when it comes to studying the verbal method works the best for me. I just remember better things that i hear, and it is easier for me.

i think it solely depends upon what we have to communicate. Also it depends upon the way you write i mean if its a poem then it conveys a lot of things which plain written text cant convey. Personally i think oral communication is more effective because alongwith words we have our face expressions, other body language features to tell the other person what you wanna convey, even if words fell short then other things can convey your feelings. This doesnt happens in written communication. No accent in voice is attached. In written owrds all you have is the words, whether you have conveyed correctly waht you wanted to convey depends upon your writing ability, while it hardly matters what is our speaking ability to convey things..again im talking about general talk and not serious speech like oral interviews and all, for those kind of serious talks you need good oral communication. One advantage is that when we write things the other person is bound to read it unstopping us till the end. But in oral communications, especially with women, they tend not to listen us, not even allow to complete our sentence and abrupty break in between! For such talkative and dominating women its better to write than talk!

Well I like to have something told to me and then given to me in writting so I can go back and refer to it. But I have found that when I type e-mail, etc. people seem to take me not like I am meaning. I consider myself a very polite person and I have been told others view my e-mails as sharp and negative. Not like I mean them at all. Personally I would rather be talked to, than a written communication. Just my opinion but sometimes all one has is the means of written communication.

In my opinion, both has its negatives and positives. When you say something to a person, face to face, the tone, the facial expression etc, are plus points. In written communication, once you write something, it sticks. That is it is its own proof, you cant deny or if you dont phrase it properly, the reader might get a totally different opinion which sometimes would not be your idea at all. So, what ever way we use, i think we have to be careful and think twice or may be more before putting to action.

I like to see people...and be able to see little more than just what they are saying...body language..and the way they look at you...sometimes I am able to see person aura and I don't have to ask much more... Written form can show people good intention, but it is also easier to camouflage the personality...

dear deepak, there are so many pros and cons to this. let me explain, if i may do so. any communication when done in person or over phone gets easier to comprehend. we know exactly what we intend to mean. while speaking we articulate with proper gaps and periods (punctuations) and also the gestures and the touches that makes it so easy!! its rightly said, expressions talk more effectively than words. on the other hand written stuff could very well get misunderstood and misinterpreted, if not expressed properly. just the way you did a few days back. hope you remember it. LOL.. however, i feel, in official matters, we should stand by expressing in black and white. This has far more implications and effect and gravity. here i want to cite an instance, a few days back, i was reading one report reporting a news regarding a moviestar, ofcourse stuffed with all spice and gossips. i was very sure that it wasn’t authentic atall. After a couple of days i heard the same star interviewed and he was telling the same thing. And then i got confirmed. have a nice day.

I find written communication to be more effective for me as I find it hard to express myself verbally most of the time. At least with written words I can take my time in what I want to write and try to express it in a way hopefully the other will be able to understand. SOmetimes however with written words it can be taken out of context and therefore a small polite email or note can be misconstrued to mean something else. At least with verbal communication you can see the person in front of you and see how they express themselves, their emotions and feelings that go with what they are trying to say.

In my opinion, it depends on different situation. In communication through writing, you can express your feelings, the only advantage is that you are leaving an evidence.through verbal communication, you can express your feelings abruptly and directly to the ones your talking to, but without a recording instrument you can deny what you say. I think in expressing our idea it is good when verbal, but then, if in revealing the truth it is good when written. it is good in different aspect.

In one sense, written words are more effective and if you have something in writing, it serves as proof that something was said. However, the written word can be misinterpreted depending on the tone of the writing. Unfortunately, the written word is very one dimensional in that way and the spoken word is easier to interpret.

I think both are effective but it depends on what kind of personaliy a person has...For those who are impulsive written would be more effective because it would lessen the chance of saying unappropriate words and ending up eating your own words but it could also lead to some misunderstanding because you don't have a chance to clear some points and lead to misunderstanding.

I think we can use both methods. But you can say a lot more than verbal because you will have the time to think of words to say. You can restudy and reread your composition. You can add some statements and thoughts you have forgotten. Especially when you are going to express youre love to your lover, i think a letter is more effective than by just saying it because you tend to forget a lot of important things to say when ur using the verbal method. But in the written method u can always add more thoughts and beautify ur statement.

I would have to agree with you. I think that written words are more powerful. Being a writer...I know the power of words. I also think you can express yourself and your emotions sometimes better on paper.

The problem with written is that one can't see people's facial reactions, or set a certain tone of voice. This can lead to misunderstandings when using only the written word. I can see your point though. There is an advantage to written in people relying only on your written word, & not discriminating based on appearance.

I think written is more effective than verbal.For e.g when there is heated arguments between two persons they abuse each other verbally which leaves a impact and most of the time leads to face tough future times stating this verbal abusement. But in case of written communication i think its drastically very much less.People always take away the minds of other people like impressing speacilly with written words.

I do think it depends on what it is that you are doing, such as breaking up with someone, that should be done face to face but maybe explaining your feelings to somebody can be put better down on paper than ever said. People can get too confused or say things wrong or things they do not mean. I do like receiving a good letter though, it makes the day seem better.

Actually, both written and verbal are effective. Which is more effective? It deppend. When it family or friends spend time together or telephone call or in a meeting, veral are important and more effecitve. If it's at work, I believe the emails are much effective, and you check later. So, for me, I like them both, and both of them are quite effective.

I'd prefer written words also especially in arguments... because writting how you feel gives you time to think compare to verbally saying what you feel you might end up saying things that you don't want to say...