William Bradford : the pen & the person
a curriculum unit for grades 9-12

Classroom activity :
William Bradford wrote in a particular style known as the "Plain Style." This style emphasized simple sentences and the use of everyday words. It avoided elaborate images and figures of speech. The goal was clarity of thought.

The first lines of Bradford’s Journal (using Bradford’s own spelling) read
"Of Plimoth Plantation. And first of ye occasion and indusments ther unto; the which, that I may truly unfould, I must begine at ye very root & rise of ye same. The which I shall endevor to manefest in a plaine stile, with singuler regard unto ye simple trueth in all things, at least as near as my slender judgmente can attaine the same."

Rewrite Bradford’s lines in modern English, using correct modern spelling.
Next, rewrite the lines in your own language. Is your version longer or shorter than Bradford’s?
Students contrast and compare their "rewrites."

Writing assignment :
One striking example of William Bradford’s use of the "Plain Style" occurs in his concise yet dramatic description of the Pilgrim exploring party, caught in the shallop in a storm and eventually finding its way to Clarks Island. The clarity and power of Bradford’s passage is particularly remarkable because the passage was only written once! William Bradford was writing by hand, in ink. Every sentence had to be carefully composed before he wrote. There was no opportunity for rewriting or correction -- and no "Delete" key!
Read Bradford’s description of the exploring party caught in a storm.
Link to www.pilgrimhall.org/bradfordjournalclarks.htm

Write one paragraph about a personal memory of your own. The last sentence should sum up why the memory is so vivid. Write this paragraph in your own style, as if you were telling the story to a friend. Then, using William Bradford’s writing as a guide, take this paragraph and rewrite it in the plain style. Use simple sentences, use everyday words, avoid elaborate images and figures of speech.

Proceed to Class journal
or click HERE to return to the introductory page of William Bradford : the pen & the person.