I have learned an important lesson at DNA. Art Club, particularly after attending an exciting Writer’s Retreat, hosted by DNA.: when writing a story, You need to craft Your words according to whether Your audience comprises of readers or listeners. It’s Your audience who matters, and so You should focus Your efforts on writing art for them.
The two types of audience require distinct approaches when it comes to writing the content; namely on the tone, the pacing, and the themes. Understanding the differences between the written and the spoken word is crucial for constructing a work of art that appeals to Your designated audience.
The spoken word relies on the performer’s voice, intonation, and physical presence. It’s a live and immediate experience that’s all about relying on playing with Your audience’s emotions to captivate their imaginations. Spoken word, poetry readings, speeches, and storytelling absolutely thrive in this arena, where the way the words are delivered are as important as the work itself.
The tone and voice are delivered not only through the words, but also the pitch, volume, and pace. Spoken word means conveying urgency, melancholy, or any kind of emotion by varying the vocal delivery. The spoken word can be made more direct by using shorter and more impactful sentences which are easier to follow. Metaphors or similes should be used sparingly as the audience only has one chance to catch them.
Spoken word pacing is faster with a natural flow; it’s meant to be more conversational. Structures are usually less complex as the audience cannot pause to reflect. Using pauses is very important in spoken word, as it can create tension or emphasize points, giving the listeners chances to absorb messages.
Spoken word gives the storyteller moments to interact with the audience. The storyteller can adjust the delivery based on how the listeners react, allowing for a more personalised experience. This interaction enhances the emotional connection, and makes the story feel more relevant to a group of listeners.
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In contrast, the written word is often a more solitary, reflective experience. Readers engage with text at their own pace, in their own time, and experience contemplation and deeper analysis. The written word lends itself to more complexity, detail, and intricacy, so readers may jump into Your story with the goal of truly absorbing what You have to say.
Written works rely on the careful selection of the words, the sentence structure, and the devices You use to convey tone and voice. Since there is an absence of audio cues, the writing needs to be deliberate in how You go about setting the mood, which means You can use more descriptive language, metaphor, and symbolism.
Pacing is allowed to be more dynamic, as the writer has control over how a story unfolds. Chapters, paragraphs, and sentences can be adjusted to slow down the pace or build tension. Structures can be more complex with subplots, different perspectives, and detailed timelines, as the written word allows readers to revisit different sections.
The written word gives readers the opportunity to be more introspective. Readers can pause and re-read on their own time to reflect. The reflective nature of the written word means You as the artist can explore more complex ideas, nuanced emotions, and detailed plots, so long as Your story has a consistent idea or a unifying thread that runs through it.
So now that we have gone over some of the differences between the written word and the spoken word, consider how You should go about tailoring Your work. Consider the unique strengths and challenges that each medium faces.
For listeners, we prioritise clarity, rhythm, and engagement. Your work should be accessible and impactful on first listen, with a tone that conveys the feeling You want to impart on Your listeners. Always keep language simple, as listeners may miss out on the meaning of the words if Your sentences are too complex. Engage with Your audience. Even if Your work doesn’t require a vocal response from Your audience, You can still elicit emotions by being provocative, or making them consider ideas. This way, You maintain listeners’ attention, and You make the entire experience interactive.
For readers, You can focus on the details, the depth, and the pacing. The written word lends itself to complexity and layered plots. Use intricate descriptions that reward close and engaging reading. A consistent tone of voice maintains a tempo, so You can use interesting and unique stylistic devices to tailor the written word according to how You want the reader to experience Your work. Encourage the reader to reflect through the use of evocative language and symbolism, and give the reader the pleasure of losing themselves in Your work.
The writers at DNA. Art Club are consistently thinking about writing for their audience. I think that the best way to learn how to write is to figure out who Your audience is, and tailor Your work accordingly.
If You’re interested in learning more, check out our calendar for weekly updates, and partake in some thought-provoking and extraordinary writing meetups. We also have a new Writers Session every Monday at 4pm, where writers from all walks of life bring their unique styles together. In this space, we grow by drafting our work together and giving each other feedback. It's a space for You to showcase Your writing, whether it's poetry, prose, essays.... anything Your mind and Your creative heart want to put to paper.
We care about our words, our audiences, and above all, each other’s growth. Join us today and experience the fun and the comfort of an art collective that cares about You.
Words by Julia Gessner