PROFUNDIZATION EXERCISE OF THE VIRTUAL ACTIVITY

HOW TO WRITE A COMPARE/CONTRAST ESSAY

SOFIA ALVAREZ FLOREZ

WORK PRESENTED AS A REQUIREMENT TO THE AREA OF SPEECH

GUIDE N°:1

PRESENTED TO THE TEACHER:

DOREEN ELIZABETH GALINDO DAVISON

COLEGIO LA QUINTA DEL PUENTE

AREA: SPEECH

FLORIDABLANCA, SANTANDER

2013

INTRODUCTION

This work wanted to learn about how to write a compare / contrast essay, ​​using the tools of the virtual aula and internet search on the subject. I have to choose a topic that allows the application of this type of test. In this opportunity I preffer to write about the difference between american and british english. I have to investigated on the web about this topic and finally write the conclusions.

ACTIVITY

You have been working on your compare – contrast essay. Now it's time to put those letters into words.

Use the information above to prepare your speech.

You must hand in your Final compare – contrast essay (all corrections must be done), remember to write the bibliography.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AMERICAN AND BRITISH ENGLISH

INTRODUCTION

Although British and American English spoken English there are important differences in pronunciation, spelling, use and meaning of words and verbs that establish their own characteristics.

The English language was first introduced to the Americas by British colonization, beginning in 1607 in Jamestown, Virginia., approximately a quarter of the world's population at that time speak english actually.

British English  is the form of English used in the United Kingdom. It includes all English dialects used in the United Kingdom.

American English  is the form of English used in the United States. It includes all English dialects used in the United States.

The principal differences are:

• Pronunciation - differences in both vowel and consonants, as well asstress and intonation

• Vocabulary - differences in nouns and verbs, especially phrasal verbusage

• Spelling - differences are generally found in certain prefix and suffix forms

Use of the Present Perfect

In British English the present perfect is used to express an action that has occurred in the recent past that has an effect on the present moment. For example:

I've lost my key. Can you help me look for it?
In American English the following is also possible:
I lost my key. Can you help me look for it?

In British English the above would be considered incorrect. However, both forms are generally accepted in standard American English. Other differences involving the use of the present perfect in British English and simple past in American English include already, just and yet.

British English:

I've just had lunch
I've already seen that film
Have you finished your homework yet?

American English:

I just had lunch OR I've just had lunch
I've already seen that film OR I already saw that film.
Have your finished your homework yet? OR Did you finish your homework yet?

Possession

There are two forms to express possession in English. Have or Have got

Do you have a car?
Have you got a car?
He hasn't got any friends.
He doesn't have any friends.
She has a beautiful new home.
She's got a beautiful new home.

While both forms are correct (and accepted in both British and American English), have got (have you got, he hasn't got, etc.) is generally the preferred form in British English while most speakers of American English employ the have (do you have, he doesn't have etc.)

The Verb Get

The past participle of the verb get is gotten in American English. Example He's gotten much better at playing tennis. British English - He's got much better at playing tennis.

Vocabulary

Probably the major differences between British and American English lies in the choice of vocabulary. Some words mean different things in the two varieties for example:

Mean: (American English - angry, bad humored, British English - not generous, tight fisted)

Rubber: (American English - condom, British English - tool used to erase pencil markings)

Prepositions

There are also a few differences in preposition use including the following:

• American English - on the weekend
  British English - at the weekend
  
  

• American English - on a team
  British English - in a team
  
  

• American English - please write me soon
  British English - please write to me soon

Past Simple/Past Participles

The following verbs have two acceptable forms of the past simple/past participle in both American and British English, however, the irregular form is generally more common in British English (the first form of the two) and the regular form is more common to American English.

• Burn
  Burnt OR burned
  
  

• Dream
  dreamt OR dreamed
  
  

• Lean
  leant OR leaned
  
  

• Learn
  learnt OR learned
  
  

• Smell
  smelt OR smelled
  
  

• Spell
  spelt OR spelled
  
  

• Spill
  spilt OR spilled

• Spoil
  spoilt OR spoiled

Spelling

Here are some general differences between British and American spellings:

Words ending in -or (American) -our (British) color, colour, humor, humour, flavor, flavour etc.
Words ending in -ize (American) -ise (British) recognize, recognise, patronize, patronise etc.

The best way to make sure that you are being consistent in your spelling is to use the spell check on your word processor (if you are using the computer of course) and choose which variety of English you would like. As you can see, there are really very few differences between standard British English and standard American English. However,

Conclusión

The most important rule of thumb is to try to be consistent in your usage. If you decide that you want to use American English spellings then be consistent in your spelling The following guide is meant to point out the principal differences between these two varieties of English. the largest difference is probably that of the choice of vocabulary and pronunciation.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Writing Effective Comparison or Contrast Essays in http://eslbee.com
   Advanced Composition for Non-Native Speakers of English

2. How to Write a Compare/Contrast Essay in http://www.bookrags.com/articles/5.html

3. Compare and contrast essays in http://www3.csudh.edu/student-affairs/tlc/docs/compareandcontrast.pdf

4. Writing a Compare/Contrast Essay in http://www.sbcc.edu/clrc/files/wl/downloads/WritingaCompareContrastEssay.pdf.

5. Comparison of American and British English

CONCLUSIONS