When comparing two passages, what is a key difference you should identify besides their stance?

• A. The author’s middle name.
• B. The font and page layout.
• C. The perspective or voice (narrative point of view), evidence types, and how claims are supported.
• D. The length of paragraphs.

Answer: (C)

When comparing two passages, you look at how the argument is built beyond whether the authors agree or disagree. A key difference is the perspective or voice: who is telling the argument and from what viewpoint? This includes whether the narration is in the first person or third person, and whether the voice comes across as biased, objective, or persuasive. The kinds of evidence used also matter: do the authors lean on numbers and expert data, on anecdotes and personal stories, or on logical reasoning and examples? How these pieces of evidence connect to the claims—how they support or justify each point—tells you a lot about each author’s approach and credibility.

That’s why this option is the best answer: it focuses on the elements that shape how an argument is formed and defended, not on surface features. Other choices miss the point because things like a writer’s middle name or the font and layout don’t affect argument quality. Even paragraph length can affect readability but doesn’t reveal the underlying method an author uses to support claims. By noting perspective, evidence types, and how claims are supported, you can compare the depth and reliability of each passage’s argument.