Varying diction and dialects

A student is writing a research paper for their history class. Which of the following sentences uses the formal, Standard English diction appropriate for this assignment?

• She don't have her homework today.

• We was planning to go to the movies.

• He isn't going to the party.

• They be talking in the library.

Answer explanation

For a formal research paper, Standard English is required. This sentence correctly uses subject-verb agreement ('He isn't'). The other options use features of informal speech or specific dialects (like 'she don't' or 'we was') that are not appropriate for formal academic writing.

Match each regional phrase to its Standard English meaning.

• You all should come over later.

• Y'all should come over later.

• Can I get a soda with my lunch?

• I'm fixin' to start my project.

• That movie was very cool.

• That movie was wicked cool.

• I'm getting ready to start my project.

• Can I get a pop with my lunch?

Answer explanation

Each phrase is a common regionalism. 'Fixin' to' (Southern) means 'getting ready to', 'wicked' (New England) means 'very', 'pop' (Midwestern) means 'soda', and 'y'all' (Southern) means 'you all'.

Sort these phrases by the type of diction they represent: Everyday Language, Academic Language, or Teen Slang.

Groups:

(a) Everyday Language

,

(b) Academic Language

,

(c) Teen Slang

• The data indicates a correlation.

• Let's hang out later.

• What's up?

• That's cap.

• This is a valid hypothesis.

• It's giving main character energy.

Answer explanation

Phrases are sorted based on their context. 'Everyday Language' is informal but widely understood. 'Academic Language' is formal and used in school settings. 'Teen Slang' is informal and popular among young people.

How would you write the sentence "She been knew the answer" in Standard English?

• She knows the answer now.

• She will know the answer.

• She has known the answer for a long time.

• She might know the answer.

Answer explanation

In African American Vernacular English (AAVE), a stressed 'been' indicates an action that happened in the distant past and is still relevant. The correct Standard English equivalent conveys this long duration.

Match each academic word to its more common, everyday synonym.

• Part

• Sufficient

• Enough

• Analyze

• Therefore / As a result

• Consequently

• Examine / Look at closely

• Component

Answer explanation

This matches formal, academic words with their simpler, everyday equivalents. Understanding both helps in switching between formal writing and casual conversation.

A character in a story says, "Howdy, partner! I reckon it's time to head to the rodeo." What type of diction is the author using for this character?

• Pirate

• Cowboy

• Teen Slang

• Academic

Answer explanation

The words 'howdy,' 'partner,' and 'reckon' are stereotypical phrases associated with Cowboy or Western American diction, helping to establish the character's background.

Sort these sentences into two categories: Standard English or Non-Standard English.

Groups:

(a) Standard English

,

(b) Non-Standard English

• He and I are on the same team.

• We seen that movie last week.

• My friends and I went to the park.

• I ain't got no pencils.

• She doesn't want any trouble.

• Them dogs are barking loudly.

Answer explanation

Sentences are sorted based on whether they follow standard grammar rules (like subject-verb agreement, pronoun case, and avoiding double negatives) or use non-standard forms.

If you were writing a formal email to your principal, which sentence would be the most appropriate way to phrase the idea expressed in "Me and my brother built a fort"?

• Me and my brother, we built a fort.

• My brother and I built a fort.

• Myself and my brother built a fort.

• The fort was built by me and my brother.

Answer explanation

For formal communication, like an email to a principal, it is appropriate to use Standard English. This means using the subject pronoun 'I' when you are part of the subject and, by convention, listing the other person first.

Match the non-standard phrase to its Standard English translation.

• He doesn't know.

• He don't know.

• I am not going.

• Where you at?

• Where are you?

• I ain't going.

• We were there.

• We was there.

Answer explanation

Each non-standard phrase is matched with its grammatically correct Standard English equivalent, correcting issues like contractions, verb conjugation, and missing verbs.

Which sentence is the best everyday, casual rewrite of this academic sentence: "The objective of this assignment is to demonstrate comprehension."

• The assignment's goal is to show you understand.

• The assignment's objective is to facilitate comprehension.

• The assignment requires a demonstration of your intellectual grasp.

• The assignment's purpose is to prove your worth.

Answer explanation

This option translates the formal words 'objective,' 'demonstrate,' and 'comprehension' into simpler, more common words ('goal,' 'show,' 'understand') without changing the meaning.