An Exploration into Written Orality

Abstract

This article grapples with the quest for “written orality,” that is, the orality of the preacher's voice in writing and developing the written text of the sermon that more easily translates into the oral voice in the delivery of the sermon. In close discussion with Carl Hoefler in his classic work, Creative Preaching and Oral Writing, I develop five characteristics of written orality in sermons: imagination, the dramatic/active voice, authentic conversation, person-centered writing, and revisions that include the body.