53 pages • 1 hour read
Walter J. OngOrality and Literacy: The Technologizing of the Word
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1982A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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
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 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.