Comparing the Writing Styles of Bradford to Byrd

Comparing the Writing Styles of Bradford to Byrd

In the Elements of Literature English book the excerpts from the stories of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford and The History of the Dividing Line by William Byrd can be compared and contrasted in many ways. Whether it’s the difference in writing styles, the difference purposes for writing the stories, or simply each writer’s tone, this paper will give examples of each comparison or contrast.

One difference between Bradford and Byrd is their writing styles. In of Plymouth Plantation, Bradford uses the “Plain Style” to write his account of the New World. “Plain Style” writing is the form of writing used by the Puritans. The “Plain Style” of writing tries to stay away from figures of speech and tried to keep it plain and simple and to the point. On the other hand Byrd is in “sharp contrast”, in The History of the Dividing Line, to the writing style of Bradford. Byrd used forms of ridicule to write his account of what happened. One example of this is Byrd’s calling the sudden flock of people to the New World a “modish frenzy”; by this he means it was just a fad of the times.

One contrast in the writings of Byrd and Bradford is the purpose for which they are written. One reason Bradford writes his story is to inform the reader about the history of the pilgrims. Another reason for Bradford’s writing is to inspire future generations to Puritan ideals alive. He also wrote his story to show God’s hand in their experiences. On the other hand Byrd’s writing was his own personal journal that was soon to be published. Byrd may have written his story to entertain his reader. For examples all through out his story he is constantly making fun of settlers, he mentions during the story that the settlers spent 50 pounds on a church and 500 pounds on a pub. He may have made fun of the settlers