Writing and Speaking are two of the main components of the IELTS exam. The former involves the creation of an evidence-driven essay, the interpretation of a visually presented data or the composition of a response letter.  One hour is allotted to the Writing exam. The Speaking exam, on the other hand, is allotted with 11 to 14 minutes wherein examinees must answer various questions presented by the test facilitator.

Notice how the tasks and time limits are different despite utilizing the same language? These variations stem from their specific focuses and practices.

IELTS test takers must understand that written and spoken English vary. Though both are significant language skills, both follow similar but distinct sets of rules. Enrolling in an IELTS online review course not only helps examinees in their test preparations but also equips them with necessary linguistic techniques to ace the exam. IELTS online instructors can also teach their students about the difference between written and oral communication.
 

To help test takers distinguish their distinct features, here are the five variations of written and spoken English:

1. Pronunciation

Written English: Pronunciation holds no direct effect in written communication although it is often utilized as an unconscious structure guide. By mentally enunciating each penned word, phrase and sentence, writers can verify their spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Spoken English: Verbal communication relies heavily on correct pronunciation. Homographs perfectly illustrate the significance of proper enunciation. These are words that have identical spellings yet different articulations.

For example:

Due to the unexpected downpour, she winds up seeking refuge under the waiting shed.

“Winds” in this sentence means “to arrive in a place, situation, or condition at the end or as a result of a course of action.”

The winds are chilly this early autumn.

“Winds” in this sentence means “a natural movement of air of any velocity.”

2. Grammar

Written English: Grammar exercises have a significant influence in written English. They dictate structure and coherence in the form of various linguistic rules and punctuation regulations. Problematic grammar practices can cause reader confusion and misinformation.

For example:

“Let’s eat, children,” the mother said.

With a comma, the sentence pertains to a mother who is calling her children to come and eat with her.

“Let’s eat children,” the mother said.

Without a comma, the sentence’s meaning is drastically changed.

Spoken English: People pay less attention to grammar when applied in verbal communication. Speaking is more flexible than writing when it comes to compositions. Dialogues, from informal conversations to academic discussions, do not always require complete sentences to express a logical thought.

3. Tone

Written English: Tone, as applied in written communication, refers to a text’s degree of formality. Different genres and topics require specific tones in writing. Academic papers, for instance, call for a more formal style than leisure-centered periodicals that make use of informal style. Meanwhile, in written dialogues like those found in literary works, authors instill tone or emotion into their character’s lines by adding punctuation and emotion cues.

For example:

“Brilliant!” – Without any emotion cues, but with punctuation, this dialogue expresses admiration to a person’s or an object’s exceptional achievement.

“Brilliant,” he said sarcastically. – With emotion cue (sarcastically), despite the word’s positive definition, the feelings conveyed by the man in the passage coincides with mockery and sarcasm.

Spoken English: Oral communication depends on the tone of voice to convey emotional context to a sentence.  Various inflections, such as volume, pitch and stressed words, can bring additional depth to a dialogue’s message. It can reflect the speaker’s intentions: to state, to request, to demand, to question, to react and to express information or emotion.

4. Vocabulary/Euphemisms

Written English: Vocabulary usage in written communication tends to be more verbose compared with spoken English. It is due to the rules implemented to this form of correspondence. Writing always requires the correct application of structure, grammar and punctuation.

Spoken English: Verbal communication is more relaxed in terms of vocabulary and structure. Speaking utilizes euphemisms, slang and other forms of wordplay. Dialogues may contain only spontaneous one-word or phrasal replies and yet still maintain coherence.

5. Response Urgency

Written English: Written correspondence provides its participants with a lot of time to acclimate to the shared information before response. In the IELTS Writing component, test takers are given an hour to compose their answers.
Spoken English: Verbal communication compels its participants to think and deliver their replies in a short amount of time. It requires fast comprehension of information. In the exam’s Speaking component, examinees are given a maximum of 14 minutes only to express their viewpoints.

Attending an IELTS online review course is one of the best ways to improve a test taker’s writing and speaking skills. IELTS online instructors not only guide students through their study efforts, but also assess their study progress. Other exam preparation practices include enrolling in a review center or self-studying.

Given these points, written English concentrates more on the proper structure, grammar and punctuation application. On the other hand, spoken communication focuses more on the fast comprehension of information and the delivery of the appropriate emotional and verbal response.

Test takers must master both language components, with all their distinct variations, to ace the exam.