Analyzing Differences in Style

Working in small groups or as a whole class, analyze the differences in the styles of these two samples.

1. How would you describe differences in the length and complexity of sentences, in the level of vocabulary, and in the degree of formality?

2. How do the differences in styles create different voices, personas, and tones?

3. Based on clues from style and genre, who is the intended audience of each piece? What is the writer's purpose? How does each writer hope to surprise the intended audience with something new challenging, or valuable?

4. How are the differences in content and style influenced by differences in purpose, audience, and genre?