DIDLS
D-I-D-L-S
DICTION: the connotation of the word choice
IMAGES: vivid appeals made to the various senses
have an emotion or attitude attached to them. These
descriptions can include figures of speech that
appeal to sensory experiences
DETAILS: facts that are included or those omitted,
most commonly the facts. The speaker's perspective
shapes what details are given.
LANGUAGE: the overall use of language and words
in the entire passage, especially figurative language.
Syntax: selected sentence structures reveal attitude
(short sentences indicate emotion; longer sentences
indicate a more reasonable scholarly intent).
binder p. 67
D-I-D-L-S
DICTION: the connotation of the word choice—
look at the diction in these sentences. How is each
different?
 The student strutted into the classroom.
 The student flitted into the classroom.
 The student walked into the classroom.
 The old man’s house was the color red.
 The old man’s house was the color of blood.
 The old man’s house was the color of ripe apples.
 My father led him into the room.
 My dad led him into the room.
 My caregiver led him into the room.
D-I-D-L-S
DICTION: the connotation of the word choice
 “Meanwhile,
the United States Army, thirsting for
revenge, was prowling the country north and west of
the Black Hills, killing Indians wherever they could be
found.” –Dee Brown, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
 What
is the sentence really about? (subject)
 What
words seem powerful of suggestive?
D-I-D-L-S
DICTION: the connotation of the word choice
 “Meanwhile,
the United States Army, thirsting for
revenge, was prowling the country north and west of
the Black Hills, killing Indians wherever they could be
found.” –Dee Brown, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
 What
do they suggest is the author’s attitude toward the
subject?
D-I-D-L-S
IMAGES: vivid appeals made to the various senses
have an emotion or attitude attached to them. These
descriptions can include figures of speech that
appeal to sensory experiences.
 His heart beat faster, sounding like a machine gun in
the roar of battle pounding in his ears.
 His heart beat faster, sounding like a playing card
thumping rapidly against bicycle spokes in his ears.
D-I-D-L-S
IMAGES: vivid appeals made to the various senses
have an emotion or attitude attached to them. These
descriptions can include figures of speech that
appeal to sensory experiences.
 “The dog stood up and growled like a lion, stiffstanding hackles, teeth uncovered as he lashed up his
fury for a charge.” Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes
Were Watching God
 “The people said that the elephant had come suddenly
upon him round the corner of the hut, caught him with
its trunk, put its foot on his back and ground him into
the earth.” George Orwell, “Shooting an Elephant”
D-I-D-L-S
IMAGES: vivid appeals made to the various senses
have an emotion or attitude attached to them. These
descriptions can include figures of speech that appeal to
sensory experiences.
She looked into the distance, and the old terror flamed up for an
instant, then sank again. Edna heard her father’s voice and her
sister Margaret’s. She heard the barking of an old dog that was
chained to the sycamore tree. The spurs of the cavalry officer
clanged as he walked across the porch. There was the hum of bees,
and the musky odor of pinks filled the air. (Kate Chopin, The
Awakening)

What sense(s) is being appealed to?

What mood do these images create? How/why?
D-I-D-L-S
DETAILS: facts that are included or those omitted,
most commonly the facts. The speaker's perspective
shapes what details are given.
 Example 1:
 He
was angry.
 His face was red.
 Example
2:
 Over
one hundred people attended the funeral.
 Many people attended the funeral.

Example 3:
 His
mother made dinner for him.
 His mother made chicken pot pie from scratch for him for
dinner.
D-I-D-L-S
LANGUAGE: the overall use of language
and words in the entire passage, especially
figurative language.
Syntax: selected sentence structures reveal
attitude (short sentences indicate emotion;
longer sentences indicate a more reasonable
scholarly intent).
D-I-D-L-S
DICTION: the connotation of the word choice
IMAGES: vivid appeals made to the various senses
have an emotion or attitude attached to them. These
descriptions can include figures of speech that
appeal to sensory experiences
DETAILS: facts that are included or those omitted,
most commonly the facts. The speaker's perspective
shapes what details are given.
LANGUAGE: the overall use of language and words
in the entire passage, especially figurative language.
Syntax: selected sentence structures reveal attitude
(short sentences indicate emotion; longer sentences
indicate a more reasonable scholarly intent).
binder p. 67
Tone Vocabulary…
Critical
Passionate
Reverent
Energetic
Brash
Candid
binder, p. 71
Directions:
1. On side 2, neatly construct an
original sentence at least fifteen 3 X 5 notecard, side 2
words long that suggests the
definition of the word using
context clues and showing your Sentence  When his little sister
announced to everyone that
understanding.
buffalo had wings, she proved
2. You may not use words from
the definition in your sentence. how clueless she really was.
3. A good sentence will help you
remember the definition!
binder, p. 69