- Walter Ong studied differences between oral and literate societies and how the shift from oral to literate thinking changes human cognition. He argued literacy is necessary for science, history, and philosophy. - Oral cultures rely on memory and the spoken word holds power. Knowledge does not accumulate over time in oral societies in the same way it does in literate ones. - Milman Parry recorded epic folk poems in Yugoslavia in the 1930s that were memorized and recited orally, sometimes changing between tellings. His work showed how oral traditions rely on techniques like formulaic phrases to aid memorization and transmission of knowledge.

1. Orality and Literacy Presentation by Mindy McAdams Week 3, Tuesday MMC 2265

18. Orality and Literacy Presentation by Mindy McAdams University of Florida MMC 2265