Advantages and Disadvantages of Written Communication

Advantages of Written Communication

Advantages of written communication over oral communication are given in the diagram below.

Image credits © Manoj Patil.

Advantages of written communication vis-a-vis oral communication are followed:

1. Permanent record
2. Legal document
3. Mass dissemination
4. Suitable for long messages
5. Accountability
6. Goodwill and image building

Advantages of written communication in business are.

1. Permanent record

Benefits of written communication is that it is a filed for future reference purpose. It becomes official and a permanent record of the organization.

2. Legal document

Merits of written communication are that it serves as a legal document in a business transaction. A composed message can be retained, duplicated, circulated and re-consulted long after its contents are first expressed.

3. Mass dissemination

Written communication can be easily duplicated through printing or photocopying; it is possible to reach a wide audience at once.

4. Suitable for long messages

Written communication is suitable for lengthy messages. For E.g. Annual report or job instruction manual.

5. Accountability

Written documents are always signed and thus can be linked to a person or persons responsive for an action.

6. Goodwill and image building

Written documents acts as a representative of the company and helps to increase goodwill and image building. A business man can create goodwill by sending greeting-cards, invitations, thank-you note in writing, etc.

Disadvantages of Written Communication

Disadvantages of written communication business oral communication are given in the diagram below.

Image credits © Manoj Patil.

Disadvantages of written communication oral communication are followed:

1. Slow and time consuming
2. Lengthy and expensive
3. Lacks personal touch
4. Unsuitable for illiterate people
5. Lacks confidentiality
6. Filing

Barriers of written communication are.

1. Slow and time consuming

Drawbacks of written communication is that it takes time to get committed to writing and transmitted to its destination. The feedback in written communication is much delayed.

2. Lengthy and expensive

Limitation of written communication is that it is a lengthy process. The infrastructure required to write a proper business letter is quite an expensive affair.

3. Lacks personal touch

Written communication lacks personal touch, hence it is difficult to persuade / Motivate through a letter.

4. Unsuitable for illiterate people

In developing / underdeveloped countries large number of people are illiterate so written communication can become a hindrance rather than help.

5. Lacks confidentiality

Written communication cannot be as confidential as personal communication.

6. Filing

Written communication, whether received or sent has to be filed properly and preserved for reference. Increasing files create a problem of storage.