Computer mediated conferencing (CMC) has been widely viewed as a valuable forum for providing opportunities for interaction among learners in a distance education setting. Interaction in distance contexts; however, is not well understood, and it has been argued that social markers are cued in online communications and that gender influences interaction processes and participation. Earlier research has identified two discourse types, epistolary and expository, that have been associated with gender. This study examined the discourse patterns and styles of 37 women and 27 men involved in a graduate course that used computer conferencing. Predicted patterns of discourse were found; women tended to use more epistolary or aligned type statements, and men tended to use more expository type statements. An investigation of satisfaction, commitment, and purpose for interaction indicated that level of satisfaction with interactions was similar, but evidence of gender-related purposive differences and a higher participation rate for men were found. (Contains 5 tables.)