Write a letter as if you are a foreign exchange student living in America. Pretend you are writing to your family in your homeland and you must explain an American custom they know nothing at all about.
To write a convincing letter, you must examine the American custom through the eyes of an outsider. What may seem perfectly natural and logical to us may seem silly to someone from a foreign country.
My letter is as follows:
My Dearest Mother,
America is filled with many new customs that I have had the privilege of experiencing. There is one called Thanksgiving. From what I understand it was derived from a celebration between the Indians and Pilgrims after their first successful harvest in 1926. Today it is a day the Americans celebrate to acknowledge their blessings that their God has bestowed upon them. I think it is a great idea to take a day out of the year to recognize all we should be thankful for.
Here in America Thanksgiving is a day where many people volunteer their time to help those who are less fortunate. For example, many help with the homeless shelters. These shelters offer hot meals to those who have no food to eat. They volunteer to help prepare and serve these hot meals. These shelters also offer a warm place to sleep. A place to retrieve out of the cold and rain. What a wonderful custom.
Of course you can not forget about the food. It is the main part of the celebration. They roast a large bird, that they call a turkey, in the oven all morning. Family members that traveled long distances arrived just to spend a couple of days with the family. The family gathering reminded me of our family and made me a fervent admirer of this new custom. While us guys watched a football game the women worked hard cooking. The wonderful smells coming from the kitchen, and all the family members making me feel as though I was part of their family; made me feel as though I was a part of something bigger than myself.
I would really like for you to consider incorporating this new custom into our own family customs. I miss you dearly. Until I see you again, I send my love.
Your Son,
Michael
Nice job, overall!
Consider/reconsider these things, though:
1926 <~~??
Today it is a day the Americans celebrate to acknowledge their blessings that their God has bestowed upon them.
How can you take the wordiness out of this sentence?
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/concise.htm
... Thanksgiving is a day where many people ...
Is a day a place? What can you use instead of "where" so this makes sense?
... These shelters offer hot meals to those who have no food to eat. They volunteer to help prepare and serve these hot meals. These shelters also offer a warm place to sleep. A place to retrieve out of the cold and rain.
Do the shelters do these things? Or do the volunteers do these things? You go back and forth between "These shelters" and "They" but the references are not quite accurate. How can you straighten this section out and get rid of wordiness?
A place to retrieve out of the cold and rain.
Two things: 1) This is a fragment, not a complete sentence; 2) what word should you use instead of "retrieve" (which is not accurate for the meaning of this)?
... us guys watched ...
The pronoun "us" is not used for the subject of a sentence in standard English. Which pronoun should you use there?
There are some missing commas, too, but these are the major things I see. Other tutors may see further things.
My Dearest Mother,
Hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I write to you today to share a peculiar and entertaining American custom that I have recently come across. Brace yourself, for it's definitely a head-scratcher!
So, imagine this - there's a day called April Fools' Day in America! It falls on the first of April, and it's a day where people play practical jokes and hoaxes on each other. Yes, my dear mother, can you believe it? A whole day dedicated to fooling one another! It's as if the Americans have taken being mischievous to a whole new level.
On this day, people go to great lengths to deceive and trick their friends, family, and even strangers. They engage in all sorts of hilarious pranks, from harmless pranks like hiding someone's car keys or switching salt with sugar, to elaborate and outrageous pranks that can leave someone scratching their head for hours.
I must admit, Mother, I was initially taken aback by this custom. In our homeland, we often take life seriously, and pranks are not something we actively pursue. But here, they have managed to turn it into a tradition that brings laughter and joy to everyone involved.
The best part is that everyone joins in on the fun, including schools, television shows, and even newspapers. They publish fake stories and headlines, just to see how gullible people can be. It's quite the spectacle, seeing people fall for these absurd stories and then realizing they've been tricked.
I myself have participated in the antics of April Fools' Day. I decided to play a prank on my American roommate by covering his entire room with balloons while he was asleep. When he woke up, it was as if he had stepped into a rainbow-filled wonderland! The look on his face was priceless, and we both had a good laugh about it.
Although it may seem silly and pointless, this American custom serves as a reminder not to take life too seriously. It encourages humor and playfulness, bringing people together through laughter and a shared sense of amusement. And in a world that can often be too serious, I appreciate that they have a day dedicated to spreading joy and light-heartedness.
I hope this letter brought a smile to your face, as it did mine when I experienced this whimsical American custom. Sending you my love and warmest wishes until we meet again.
Yours clownishly,
Michael
My Dearest Mother,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I wanted to share with you a fascinating American custom that I have recently experienced called Thanksgiving. It is truly a unique and heartwarming celebration that I think you would find quite interesting.
From what I understand, Thanksgiving originated from a historical event that took place in the year 1626. It was during this time that the Native Americans, also known as Indians, and the Pilgrims had a prosperous harvest. To express their gratitude and rejoice in their blessings, they came together for a great feast. This day has now evolved into a yearly tradition for Americans to give thanks for all the good things in their lives.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Thanksgiving is the collective effort made by the American people to help the less fortunate. Many individuals dedicate their time to volunteer at homeless shelters. These shelters offer warm meals to those who have no food to eat. The volunteers work tirelessly to prepare and serve these hot meals, ensuring that everyone has something to eat on this special day. Additionally, the shelters also provide a safe and warm place for those in need to rest and seek shelter from the harsh weather conditions. It truly is a compassionate and generous custom.
Of course, the food is an integral part of the Thanksgiving celebration. The main centerpiece of the meal is a large bird called a turkey, which is roasted in the oven for hours. Family members, even those who have traveled long distances, gather together to spend a couple of days with their loved ones. It reminded me of our own family gatherings, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging and unity. While the men watched a football game, the women worked diligently in the kitchen, filling the air with appetizing aromas. The warmth and love that emanated from this gathering made me feel like I was a part of something bigger than myself.
I have been so inspired by this custom that I would love for us to consider incorporating it into our own family traditions. The idea of taking a specific day to recognize and appreciate all the blessings we have in our lives is truly beautiful.
I miss you deeply, and I long for the day when we can be together again. Sending all my love to you and the rest of the family.
Your Son,
Michael
My Dearest Mother,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to share with you an American custom that I recently had the opportunity to experience here in the United States. It is called Thanksgiving, and it is a holiday that holds great significance to the American people.
Thanksgiving is a day where Americans come together to express gratitude for the blessings they have received. It originated from a historical event in 1626, when the Pilgrims and the Native Americans gathered to celebrate a successful harvest. Today, it is a time for families to gather, reflect, and give thanks for the abundance in their lives.
One aspect of Thanksgiving that truly stood out to me is the spirit of giving and helping those in need. Many Americans choose to volunteer their time and resources on this day to assist the less fortunate, particularly those who are homeless. They lend their support to local shelters, where hot meals are provided to those who have no food to eat. It is heartwarming to witness the dedication of these volunteers as they help prepare and serve these meals, offering warmth and comfort to those who need it most.
The centerpiece of the Thanksgiving celebration is undoubtedly the food. Families across the country prepare a grand feast, with the focal point being a large bird known as a turkey. While the men engage in watching a traditional American football game, the women work tirelessly in the kitchen to create a delicious spread for everyone to enjoy. The aroma of the food and the familial atmosphere of the gathering reminded me of our own family customs back home. It made me realize the significance of coming together as a family and feeling a sense of belonging.
Mother, I would like to suggest that we consider incorporating this beautiful custom into our own family traditions. The spirit of gratitude and generosity that surrounds Thanksgiving is something that I believe would greatly enhance our celebrations back home. It would be a wonderful opportunity for us to express appreciation for the blessings we have been given and to extend a helping hand to those in need. I miss you dearly, and I long for the day when we can be reunited.
Until then, please know that I send you all my love and affection.
Your loving son,
Michael