Diction
What is Diction? The words or phrases an author chooses to convey effect and meaning to the readers Communicates ideas and impressions It evokes emotions Conveys authors truths and/or agenda to the reader
Levels of Diction High or Formal diction Contains language that creates an elevated tone Free of slang, idioms, colloquialisms and contractions Often contains polysyllabic words, sophisticated syntax, and elegant word choice Example: The Scarlet Letter
Example of Formal Diction Discerning the impracticable state of the poor culprit s mind, the elder clergyman, who had carefully prepared himself for the occasion addressed to multitude a discourse on sin, in all its branches, but with the continual reference to the ignonimous letter. So forcibly did he dwell upon this symbol, for the hour or more during which his periods were rolling over the people s heads, that it assumed new terrors in the imagination, and seemed to derive its scarlet hue from the flames of the infernal pit. -The Scarlet Letter
Levels of Diction Neutral Diction Uses standard language and vocabulary without elaborate words May include contractions Example: Hemingway s The Old Man and the Sea
Example of Neutral Diction The shark swung over and the old man saw his eye was not alive and then he swung over once again, wrapping himself in two loops of the rope. The old man knew that he was dead but the shark would not accept it. Then, on his back, with his tail lashing and his jaws clicking, the shark plowed over the water as a speedboat does. The water was white where his tail beat it and three-quarters of his body was clear above the water when the rope came taut, shivered, and then snapped. The shark lay quietly for a little while on the surface and the old man watched him. Then he went down very slowly. -The Old Man and the Sea
Levels of Diction Informal or Low diction Language of everyday use Relaxed and conversational Includes common and simple words, idioms, slang, colloquialisms, jargon, and contractions Example: Toni Morrison s The Bluest Eye
Example of Informal Diction Three quarters of milk. That what was in that icebox yesterday. Three whole quarts. Now they ain t none. Not a drop. I don t mind folks coming in and getting what they want, but three quarts of milk! What the devil does anybody need with three quarts of milk? -The Bluest Eye
Levels of Diction Slang A group of recently coined words These come and go from the language fairly quickly Example: That jacket is sick.
Levels of Diction Colloquial Expressions Nonstandard, often regional ways of using language Appropriate to informal or conversational speech and writing Example: y all
Levels of Diction Jargon Words and expressions characteristic of a particular trade, profession, or pursuit. Example: Being an 11 th grader is hard! I have to take the AP exam and the ACT, and I m thinking of taking the SAT!
Levels of Diction Dialect Nonstandard subgroup of a language with its own vocabulary and grammatical features Writers often use regional dialects to reveal information about a character s economic or social class Mark Twain is notorious for using regional dialects!
Concrete Diction Types of Diction Specific words that describe physical qualities or conditions Abstract Diction Language that denotes ideas, emotions, conditions, or concepts that are intangible Examples: impenetrable, incredible, inscrutable, inconceivable,
Denotation Analyzing Diction The exact, literal definition of a word independent of any emotional association or secondary meaning Connotation The implicit rather than explicit meaning of a word Consists of the suggestions, associations, and emotional overtones attached to a word
Analyzing Diction Tone is inseparable when discussing diction Tone is the attitude or feeling that the writer s words express. You cannot discuss tone without discussing diction and vice versa Authors are only able to convey their feelings through the specific words and/or phrases that they use
Questions When Analyzing Diction Is the language concrete or abstract? Are the words monosyllabic or polysyllabic? Do the words have interesting connotations? Is the diction formal or colloquial? Is there any change in the level of diction in the passage? What can the reader infer about the speaker or the speaker s attitude from the word choice?
Answers When Analyzing Diction 1. Concrete? 2. Abstract? 3. Monosyllabic words 4. Polysyllabic words 5. Formal 6. Colloquial 7. Change in type of diction? 1. Childlike 2. Mature thinking 3. Intellectually inferior 4. Sophisticated 5. Educated 6. Illiterate 7. Does this indicate an epiphany?
Writing About Diction ALWAYS use an adjective when describing diction and tone. diction contributes to the tone. Ex: The repetitive low diction in her comments, such as that s hot! and not fair! contributes to the childish tone that permeates Paris Hilton s interviews, thus reinforcing the stereotype of her being a stupid, rich girl.
Writing About Diction Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told about her fiancé and their wedding plans. What are the specific words that create the feeling of the sentence? What words did the author use to create the feeling of the sentence?
Writing About Diction Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told about her fiancé and their wedding plans. Bouncing lit joyous glow fiancé - wedding What kind of words are these?
Writing About Diction Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told about her fiancé and their wedding plans. diction contributes to the tone. Cheerful diction contributes to the euphoric tone. Or uplifting diction contributes to the joyful tone.
Writing About Diction She huddled in the corner, clutching her tattered blanket and shaking convulsively, as she feverishly searched the room for the unknown dangers that awaited her. diction contributes to the tone. The frightening diction contributes to the alarming tone.
Writing About Diction She lay on the couch in a white evening dress, whispering softly in the ear of her fiancé, running her fingers through his hair and gently nibbling his earlobe. diction contributes to the tone. The suggestive diction contributes to the seductive tone.
Writing About Diction Harvard accepted her, allowing this child the opportunity to study in the same halls as the many famous scholars before her, giving her the chance to excel in her field in the best college in the United States. diction contributes to the tone. The lofty diction contributes to the elevated tone.
Writing About Diction Bursting through the door, the flustered mother hollered uncontrollably at the innocent teacher who gave her child an F. diction contributes to the tone. The fierce diction contributes to the antagonistic tone.
Writing About Diction Drawing the attention of his classmates as well as his teacher, the student dared to experiment with his professor s intelligence by interrogating him about the Bible. diction contributes to the tone. The challenging diction contributes to the confrontational tone.
Writing About Diction And one last tip.. Never, never, never, never, never say: The author uses diction. Do you mean the author chooses words? Well, duh!!!!!! Always say: The author uses (what kind of) diction. indignant? dark? euphoric? Describe it!!!!!!