Print encourages a sense of closure, a sense that what is found in a text has been finalized, has reached a state of completion.
Walter J. OngRead
Without writing, the literate mind would not and could not think as it does, not only when engaged in writing but normally even when it is composing its thoughts in oral form. More than any other single invention writing has transformed human consciousness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Writing is essential for the development of human thought and consciousness.
This quote emphasizes the profound impact that writing has on the way humans think and communicate. It suggests that writing is not just a tool for expression, but has fundamentally transformed our cognitive processes, allowing us to organize our thoughts and ideas in a way that is not achievable through oral communication alone.
Themes
WritingThoughtConsciousnessCommunicationEducation
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of literacy and education, one might use this quote to highlight the transformative power of writing.
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