Written vs Spoken Word

Media is everywhere in 2015. Two of the most prominent forms are the written word and the spoken word. Each of these channels has laid a foundation for the explosion of mass media seen today.

The Serial podcast tells the single story of murder and the subsequent investigation and its impact told through a series of episodes. This is a break from contemporary journalism trends as it takes several weeks to finish the story. Background sounds, music, and tone of the narrator, Sarah Koenig, all work in conjunction and to add suspense to the elements of the story. Even the theme song, which becomes iconic after just one episode, evokes tension and anxiety.

On the other end of the spectrum, written word, lays The Corner. It is a book that tells the tale of a street corner in West Baltimore and how it slipped from a strong, working class neighborhood into a street drug purgatory. The book allows more freedom to its audience as they are given a lexicon of description that leaves the reader to paint their own picture without the aid of creepy music or chilling sound effects. Another hallmark of Simon’s writing is his ability to provide a comprehensive panoramic context to the characters and the neighborhood. This is a perspective that spoken word omits.

Both of these media formats have their distinct characteristics that help to construct a particular experience.