53 pages 1 hour read

Walter J. Ong

Orality and Literacy: The Technologizing of the Word

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1982

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Orality and Literacy by Walter J. Ong examines the profound differences between oral and literate cultures, exploring how the shift from oral to written communication has reshaped human consciousness, memory, societal structures, and educational systems. The book delves into the characteristics of both cultures and the cognitive and social effects of literacy, providing a comprehensive analysis of the transformative impacts of writing and print.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Walter J. Ong's Orality and Literacy is widely praised for its insightful exploration of the transition from oral to written cultures and its impact on human cognition and societal structures. While some reviewers find it dense and occasionally repetitive, its scholarly rigor and thought-provoking analysis are highly valued. This work is essential for understanding communication's evolution.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Orality and Literacy?

Readers who would enjoy Walter J. Ong's Orality and Literacy are typically scholars, students, and enthusiasts of communication theory, anthropology, and cultural studies. Similar in appeal to Marshall McLuhan's Understanding Media and Elizabeth Eisenstein's The Printing Press as an Agent of Change, they appreciate in-depth analysis of media's impact on human thought and culture.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Anthropology

Philosophy

Topics

Anthropology

Science / Nature

Sociology

Themes

Identity: Language

Life/Time: The Past

Values/Ideas: Science & Technology