Common Critical Vocabulary
Literary, Rhetorical,
Style & Syntax Terms
Jennifer Bennett
Sanderson High School
WCPSS, Raleigh, NC
Diction
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Word choice
– Most obvious indicator of tone (attitude)
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Choose words carefully, considering
– Purpose
– Audience
– Occasion
Denotation
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the literal meaning of a word
a word’s dictionary definition
ex: Nazi
– A member of the German Socialist
political party during the 1930’s and
1940’s.
Connotation
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The ideas, attitudes, and feelings
surrounding a word
A word’s “emotional baggage”
– Note: the word baggage itself connotes
something heavy and cumbersome; a burden—
mostly negative connotations
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Ex. Nazi
– Brutality, genocide, ash and smoke from the
ovens, piles of picked-through luggage, cattle
cars; gas chambers; emaciated prisoners
Practice!
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For each of the following pairs of
words, determine their relationship,
both denotative and connotative:
– Skinny/slender
– Swing/lurch
– Plump/obese
– Meat/flesh
– Father/Daddy
Levels of Diction
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Ceremonial
Formal
Informal
Slang
Consider vocabulary, usage, and
syntax in determining level of diction
Syntax
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Word order—the purposeful way in
which a writer arranges words and
sentences
Sentence structures, types, orders,
kinds
Ceremonial Level of Diction
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Some archaic vocabulary—highly
formal
Syntax—often uses highly complex
sentence structures
Purpose—to create a particular
atmosphere that impresses upon
others the import of the occasion
Occasion—highly formal; weddings,
funerals, inaugurations, graduations
Formal Level of Diction
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Vocabulary: words labeled “form.” in a
dictionary; vocabulary is large & mature—words
are specific—speak to the nuances of meanings
Syntax: often more complex sentence
structures—lengths and types of sentences
chosen for their specific effects on the audience
and the work as a whole
Occasions: scholarly essays, papers, research,
speeches, letters of a business nature, resumes
Audience: those in authority—principals,
senators, bosses (respect); those who are welleducated
Informal Level of Diction
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Vocabulary: smaller pool of words from
which to choose; mostly words labeled “inf.”
in a dictionary
Syntax: often less purposeful than formal
writing; mostly medium length and simple
structures
Purpose/occasion: vocab. creates a more
familiar, relaxed atmosphere
Audience: classroom discussion, informal
letters to family (not the notes you write in
class!)
Slang Level of Diction
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Vocabulary: quite small; riddled with words
labeled “sl.” in a dictionary, considered nonstandard English
Syntax: non-standard—fragments, run-ons,
non-standard spellings and punctuation;
mostly short sentences.
Purpose, Occasion, Audience: casual
situations, i.e. notes to friends, casual
conversations, certain genres of song lyrics,
texting & im’ing