What Is Written Communication? Advantages, Disadvantages

What is Written Communication?

Written communication is communication by means of written symbols or sign that is communicated by or to or between people or groups.

In written communication, a message can be transmitted via email, letter, report, memo, etc. The message, in written communication, is influenced by the vocabulary and grammar used, writing style, precision and clarity of the language used.

Table of Content

1 What is Written Communication?
2 Characteristics of Written Communication
3 Advantages of Written Communication
4 Disadvantages of Written Communication
5 Purpose of Written Communication
6 Business Communication Notes
7 Reference

Written communication is the most common form of communication being used in business. So, it is believed core among business skills. Memos, reports, bulletins, job descriptions, employee manuals, and electronic mail are the types of written communication used for internal communication.

For communicating with the external environment in writing, electronic mail, Internet Websites, letters, proposals, telegrams, faxes, postcards, contracts, advertisements, brochures, and news releases are used.

In the written form, it may require the drafting of letters and circulars, proposals, memos and business reports of varying kinds and includes

MemoReport
Office order
Circulars
Graphs/Charts
Staff Newsletter
E-mail
Form/Questionnaire
Letter
Notice, Agenda, Notes on Agenda
Minutes of Meetings
Advertisement
Customer Newsletter
Press Release
Invitation
Leaflet/Brochure/Handbills
Manuals

Characteristics of Written Communication

Written communication is a creative activity. It needs creative facts. The creative facts are produced by a human mind. The main characteristics of a written communication are as follows:

Written or Recorded

Written communication is an effective process of transferring a message. The sender writes the message in the form of a letter, report, chart, diagram, questionnaire and passes to the receiver.

Creative Activity

Written communication is a creative activity. All the creative activities are produced by the human mind.

Human Activity

Human-being can write or explain an idea, opinion and information in written form. Therefore, written communication is a human activity.

Language

Written communication can be expressed in a language. It may be Hindi, English, any code language, chart, figure etc. The selection of the language depends on the convenience of the sender and the receiver.

Permanent Record

Written communication has proof of evidence. It provides a permanent record for a future reference.

Legal Evidence

When the message is transferred through written communication, these are also used as legal evidence.

Lengthy Process

The process of written communication is very lengthy. The message is transferred in this process through several channels. Therefore, it takes more time.

Accuracy

Written messages are generally prepared in a peaceful environment. It is more effective for achieving future goals of an organization. Therefore, it is prepared by the sender with and accuracy.

Advantages of Written Communication

Written communication is one of the most extensively used modes of communication in most organisations. There are different forms of written communication that are primarily used to exchange information related to business operations, such as memos, reports, circulars, notices, manuals, e-mails, etc. Some of the benefits that written communication offers are as follows:

Some of the advantages of written communication are:

Can maintain records

Most written correspondence can be on record, such as information exchanged with stakeholders, minutes of meetings, mails, etc. Just imagine getting an oral appointment letter. Written documents provide a long-lasting record that can be used for future references.

Has legal validity

Written records provide legal authority, which can be used as proof of any information by organisations for any legal defence. E-mails, for instance, are the most inexpensive and quickest medium of written communication in cases where in-person communication is not possible.

Is accurate and dependable

Written communication is considered more accurate and reliable than oral communication because information exchanged cannot be changed unlike in the case of the latter.

Can be well drafted

Oral words can be spontaneous, unlike written communication which can be edited, modified and carefully articulated offering maximum clarity and accuracy of meaning.

Can be used to assign responsibility

It may not always be possible to communicate the work responsibilities to all employees in person. To take care of such situations, written communication can be used to effectively assign responsibilities.

Allows little chance of misunderstanding

In case the words to be written are carefully chosen and present the meaning precisely, there are very little chances of misunderstanding using written communication.

Allows editing and omissions

Written words can be edited or modified to suit the receiver before the message is sent across to the receivers.

Disadvantages of Written Communication

Some of the disadvantages of written communication are:

It is a time-taking medium

Written communication requires a lot of time. Putting one’s thoughts into words and formulation of the same is, of course, a time-consuming process, as proper structuring is required.

It uses too many resources

A large number of resources are wasted in an organisation on stationery and storage of files and records. Though the use of computers helps save or rather just cut down on some of these expenses, but still written communication costs a lot to organisations and also to the environment as the use of paper means cutting of trees.

It requires good writing skills

Proper grammatical knowledge of a language is required to communicate effectively. Written communication is constrained by grammar and handwriting if the message is not properly typed. Moreover, a poorly drafted message may lead to the loss of business for an organisation.

Purpose of Written Communication

Business letters are not in any way less vital than the blood circulation system in body when we talk and count it with reference to business activities. Needs for sending letter in business is felt for several purposes. Some of such purposes are as under.

To widen contact scope

As already mentioned told, several parties are contacted in business and it is not possible to contact with all parties concerned. Thus, letters are the means that extend the scope of business activities to the desired extent.

Building Goodwill

Letters contribute largely in building goodwill for a business and making friendly relations with concerned parties if these are written in influence manner. These act as an advertisement for building goodwill of the business concerned.

Documentary Evidence

Letters may be filed before a court as written evidence in the form of a business contract. Letters bear the signature of the authorised person. Hence, letters act as evidence in the course of deciding on liabilities.

Lasting Impression

As the letters are retained by the readers, these have a lasting impression on them. These are repeatedly read by readers unless a response is given. They are also remembered by them or make a niche for them in their memory.

Provide information

In business, several parties communicate one another on a number of topics or matters. Business letters with information written on them make such transactions of information very easy. Hence, letters are the most important medium in view of providing information.

Reference and Record

Everyone may agree that it is not possible to keep memory afresh every time in respect of the contracts executed, transaction made and the events taking place in the course of running the business. Letters, however, can easily be used as record for future references. These can use as a reference whenever such need is felt.

Economic Communication

Communication through letters is always economic as no extra cost is incurred in this mode sending information from one place to another. It is cheaper than personal contact with the parties.

Business Communication Notes

(Click on Topic to Read)

Reference

Business Communication: “ K.K. Sinha, Golgotia Publishing Company.
Dr K.C. Goyal, Dr Ummed Singh, Dr Kapil Dev, Business Communication.
Essentials of Business Communication: Rajendra Pal, J.S Korlahalli, Sultan Chand & Sons.

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