Levels of Diction
Pre-AP English 2
High or Formal Diction
Creates an elevated tone
 Free of slang, idioms, colloquialisms and
contractions
 Contains polysyllabic words, sophisticated
syntax and elegant word choice

From The Scarlet Letter
Discerning the impracticable state of the
poor culprit’s mind, the elder clergyman,
who had carefully prepared himself for the
occasion, addressed to the multitude a
discourse on sin, in all its branches, but
with continual reference to the
ignominious letter.
Neutral Diction

Uses standard language and vocabulary
without elaborate words and may include
contractions.
From The Old Man and the Sea
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.
Informal or low diction
Language of everyday use
 Relaxed and conversational
 Includes common and simple words,
idioms, slang, jargon, and contractions.

From The Bluest Eye
Three quarts of milk. That’s 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?
Types of Diction
Slang
Recently coined words used in informal
situations.
 Slang words come and go quickly,
passing in and out of usage within months
or years

Colloquial Expressions

Nonstandard, often regional, ways of
using language appropriate to informal or
conversational speech and writing.

Ex: “y’all”
Jargon

Characteristic of a particular trade,
profession or pursuit
Ex: Skateboarding Jargon- “ollie” “carve”
“catch” “drop in”
Dialect

Nonstandard subgroup of a language with its
own vocabulary and grammatical features.
Ex: “Sho, there’s ticks a-plenty. I could have a
thousand of ‘em if I wanted to. Well, why don’t
you? Becuz you know mighty well you can’t.”
(From The Adventures of Tom Sawyer)
Concrete Diction

Specific words that describe physical
qualities or conditions.
Ex: “The tears came fast, and she held her face in her
hands. When something soft and furry moved
around her ankles, she jumped, and saw it was the
cat. He wound himself in and about her legs.
Momentarily distracted from her fear, she squatted
down to touch him, her hands wet from the tears.
The cat rubbed up against her knee. He was black
all over, deep silky black, and his eyes, pointing down
toward his nose, were bluish green. The light made
them shine like blue ice. Pecola rubbed the cat’s
head; he whined, his tongue flicking with pleasure.
The blue eyes in the black face held her.”
(From The Bluest Eye)
Abstract Diction

Denotes ideas, emotions, conditions or
concepts that are intangible
Ex: From Heart of Darkness
impenetrable, incredible, inscrutable,
inconceivable, unfathomable
Denotation

Exact literal definition of a word
Ex: Definition from a dictionary
Connotation
Implicit rather than explicit meaning of a
word
 Consists of the suggestions, associations,
and emotional overtones attached to a
word.

Ex: “house” vs. “home” -- home suggests
safety, security