Brittney Hayes-Beachuma
Professor Sarah Horne
Liberty University
American Literature
July 17 , 2023
th
Essay: The Colonial Period Assignment
There were a few people that had a great influence on the early settlements in the New World.
Two individuals who played significant roles in the colonies were William Bradford and John
Smith. Their impact on the colonies differed in various ways. Both Bradford and Smith were
Christians and held leadership positions in the early stages. However, Bradford stood out for his
strong moral values, spirituality, and humble approach to his duties. Additionally, both Bradford
and Smith were American writers, but their writing styles were distinct. Smith began writing in
1608, while Bradford started in 1630. Smith authored three books, namely A Description of New
England, The General History, and A True Relation. In contrast, Bradford wrote a single book
titled Of Plymouth Plantation. Bradford's writing style is characterized by its readability and
excellent composition. John Smith and William Bradford embarked on voyages to unknown
territories with different intentions. Despite encountering similar events, both men approached
each situation differently. Whether driven by the desire for wealth or religious freedom, both
authors faced numerous challenges. The speeches, objectives, and moods in their accounts
diverge and align. William Bradford's choice of words differed from Smith's due to the religious
beliefs that influenced his writing. Bradford's straightforward language reflects the puritan plain
style of writing in the 1700s, characterized by concise sentences and simple vocabulary. For
