Question

PLEASE HELP I AM LITERALLY FAILING

Write an essay of at least 400 words on one of the following topics. It may be humorous if you like.
Using examples from your family life and the speech of your friends, show how American English reflects American culture.
Contrast British and American vocabulary and usage, using examples from this unit and other sources, including previous knowledge and your own experience. For this, you will have to do some research at the library and/or on the Internet.
You will be assessed according to these criteria:
Content is on topic selected.
Each paragraph contains one main idea and support.
Uses complete sentences including compound and complex sentences.
Includes an introductory paragraph, proper transitions, and a conclusion.
Contains no errors in conventions such as spelling or grammatical errors, and is at least 400 words long

Answer 1

A well-structured essay on American English reflecting culture or the difference between British and American vocabulary needs a clear thesis, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. Formal tone paragraphs would explore the culturally ingrained differences in vocabulary, while informal tone paragraphs might use anecdotes to illustrate how language reflects lifestyle and values.

Step-by-step explanation:

Writing an essay is an exercise in effective communication, a practice deeply rooted in the academic world. It presents an opportunity to articulate thoughts and arguments in a structured and cogent manner. When considering either American English and its cultural reflections or the contrast between British and American vocabulary and usage, one must delve into the idiosyncrasies and contextual relevancies that give each dialect its unique flavor. Planning for such a task necessitates a thesis that encapsulates the main idea, an introduction that sets the stage, body paragraphs that each contain a single main idea substantiated by examples and supporting details, and a conclusion that synthesizes the information presented.

An example of a formal argumentative tone might consider the extensive vocabulary differences that separate British from American English. It could argue the point that these differences are not merely superficial or comical footnotes but are engrained indicators of cultural divergences created by historical contexts and the evolution of separate societies. Words like 'boot' and 'bonnet' are not simply British synonyms for the American 'trunk' and 'hood' of a car; they are vestiges of a linguistic heritage that speaks to the rich tapestry of British history and society.

In stark contrast, an informal discussion featuring colloquial speech might look at how language mirrors lifestyle and values. 'Y'all' is more than just a Southern contraction for 'you all' in American English; it is an informal expression of community and inclusiveness that's reflective of Southern hospitality. Discussing this could involve anecdotes of family gatherings and how speech patterns contribute to the comforting sense of togetherness that is synonymous with American family life.

Answer 2

Answer:For VOA Learning English, this is Everyday Grammar.

There is an old saying that America and Britain are “two nations divided by a common language.”

No one knows exactly who said this, but it reflects the way many Brits feel about American English. My British friend still tells me, “You don’t speak English. You speak American.”

But are American and British English really so different?

Vocabulary

The most noticeable difference between American and British English is vocabulary. There are hundreds of everyday words that are different. For example, Brits call the front of a car the bonnet, while Americans call it the hood.

Americans go on vacation, while Brits go on holidays, or hols.

New Yorkers live in apartments; Londoners live in flats.

There are far more examples than we can talk about here. Fortunately, most Americans and Brits can usually guess the meaning through the context of a sentence.

Collective nouns

There are a few grammatical differences between the two varieties of English. Let’s start with collective nouns. We use collective nouns to refer to a group of individuals.

In American English, collective nouns are singular. For example, staff refers to a group of employees; band refers to a group of musicians; team refers to a group of athletes. Americans would say, “The band is good.”

But in British English, collective nouns can be singular or plural. You might hear someone from Britain say, “The team are playing tonight” or “The team is playing tonight.”

Auxiliary verbs

Another grammar difference between American and British English relates to auxiliary verbs. Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, are verbs that help form a grammatical function. They “help” the main verb by adding information about time, modality and voice.

Let’s look at the auxiliary verb shall. Brits sometimes use shall to express the future.

For example, “I shall go home now.” Americans know what shall means, but rarely use it in conversation. It seems very formal. Americans would probably use “I will go home now.”

In question form, a Brit might say, “Shall we go now?” while an American would probably say, “Should we go now?”

When Americans want to express a lack of obligation, they use the helping verb do with negative not followed by need. “You do not need to come to work today.” Brits drop the helping verb and contract not. “You needn’t come to work today.”

Step-by-step explanation: