A study examined two questions: Do students include more information or present it more concisely and explicitly when speaking or writing? and, Does language show different thematic relationships (through syntax or diction) depending upon the mode? Twenty-four community college students viewed one of two brief films and responded orally or in writing. Responses were analyzed to determine the amount of narrative and descriptive information. Results showed that (1) students conveyed similar amounts of information in each mode, (2) students who conveyed less information in writing also conveyed less information in speaking, (3) students were more explicit and more concise in writing, and (4) better writers had more variety in syntax and diction. In general, all writers adjusted their initial elements and information structure based on mode. (EL)