What characteristic often defines discourse in spoken language?

Discourse in spoken language is often characterized by its informal and spontaneous nature, which can lead to a lack of formal structure like paragraphs found in written language. Spoken discourse tends to flow in a more conversational manner and may include disjointed or fragmented sentences. This informality can result in disorganization, as speakers may change topics, use fillers, or make abrupt transitions without the need to arrange their thoughts systematically.

The chosen answer accurately captures the essence of how spoken discourse operates, diverging from the structured approach typical of written language. In contrast, while complete sentences and well-formed structures are often important in writing, spoken language regularly accommodates more fluid and less grammatically rigorous expressions. Additionally, while the use of topic-specific vocabulary and coarticulated sounds are indeed characteristics of spoken language, they don't encapsulate the defining quality of its overall discourse style as effectively as the aspect of informality and potential disorganization does.