This document compares and contrasts the differences between written and spoken language. Written language favors precise sentences with embedded clauses, reported speech, and precise vocabulary with little ellipsis. Spoken language favors clauses as the basic unit of construction, uses coordination to add clauses, favors direct speech, tolerates vagueness, uses ellipsis frequently, and includes question tags and performance effects like hesitations, repeats, and false starts. It then provides definitions of speaking as the vocalized form of human communication that starts mentally and includes grammatical, discoursive, strategic, and sociocultural competencies.