Walter Ong, "The Psychodynamics of Orality" (electronic

reserve)

Thought in Oral Cultures (cultures without writing):

1. sees word as power and action

2. must be memorable

3. Is additive rather than subordinative

4. uses fiIxed epithets

5. is redundant and rhetorically copious

6. is close to human lifeworld

7. is agonistically toned (see #10 below)

8. is homeostatic (preserves status quo)

9. is situational rather than abstract

10. is participatory rather than distanced