Word of mouth

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/word-of-mouth

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the fundamental communication mechanism?Transmission of information via spoken language between individuals
2. What is the psychological basis?Leverages trust, social connection, and the human need for belonging and self-expression
3. Why was word of mouth important before books and TV?Before many people could read or there were newspapers, people used talking to share survival tips, rules, and beliefs. It helped them survive, learn farming, and keep their culture alive.
4. How do people remember stories for many generations?People memorize and repeat stories many times. By telling the story again and again, they keep it in their minds and pass it to others.

Oral Tradition: The method by which cultural knowledge, stories, and beliefs are passed down through generations via spoken word.
Oral History: The collection and preservation of historical information through personal accounts and spoken testimonies of individuals.
Information Dissemination: The process by which information is spread or shared among a population or group.