ARE YOU SURE YOU
WANT TO SAY THAT?
A word about DICTION.
So what is DICTION anyway?
“Diction”
comes from Latin dictio,
which means “style of speech.”
In ancient Greece, when people were
more concerned with speaking than
writing, dictio meant “choice of
words.”
Why is DICTION important?
A study of DICTION depends on situation
and genre.
When writing, consider the following:
What is my purpose?
Who is my audience?
What kind of text am I writing?
Then ask:
Is it appropriate to use this word?
“Diction” refers to:
The use of certain words to achieve:
1. A particular emotion
2.A particular tone
3.A particular meaning
A writer’s diction determines, to a great
extent, a writer’s style.
Choosing the Appropriate Word(s)
What if I told that you that
each word you choose will
cost $.25?
 Of course, you want to sound
intelligent, but excess words:
 waste time and space
 may distort the message
 may confuse your audience
 COST YOU QUARTERS ($.25)!
Do not spend all of your
money wasting words!!
Consider the following example:
 It was a five-minute period after
the fire drill when the principal
who we knew was going to open
the door arrived.
22 words = $5.50
How would you change the sentence
to cost you less?
The New Sentence
The principal arrived
five minutes after the
fire drill.
9 words = $2.25
So how can we spend
less money on words?
Change passive voice sentences to active
voice.
1. In passive voice, the subject is not actively doing anything.
 Example: The room was cleaned by John.
( 6 words = $1.50)
1. In active voice sentences, the subject is actively doing the
action.
 Example: John cleaned the room.
(4 words = $1.00)
Change the following
passive sentences to active voice:
1. A dinosaur bone was found by Laura.
2.The archaeologist will be called
tomorrow.
3.Human diversity has been explored by
anthropologists.
So how do we analyze diction?
When analyzing diction, use LEAD.
 L = Literal or Figurative
 E = Elevated (Formal) or Low (Informal )Language
 A = Abstract or Concrete Diction
 D = Denotation or Connotation
 S = Sound of words: Euphonious or Cacophonous
Low or Informal Diction
Low or informal diction
includes
 Slang
 Dialect
 Jargon
Usually used when a writer is
speaking directly to the reader
(using first person pronouns,
such as I, me, etc…
Elevated or Formal Diction
Elevated or formal diction includes more
elaborate polysyllabic words (which may be
more difficult to understand).
Consider the differences between the
following:
get
vs.
receive
ask for
vs.
request
check
vs.
verify
Which group includes more
elevated/formal diction?
Abstract or Concrete Diction
Abstract terms tend to refer to universal truths, emotions, or
concepts. Examples include: love, success, freedom, democracy
 Abstract words may make it difficult for the audience to fully understand the speaker/writer’s
meaning.
 Consider the example:
 "Ralph and Jane have experienced difficulties in their lives, and both have developed bad attitudes
because of these difficulties. They have now set goals to surmount these problems, although the
unfortunate consequences of their experiences are still apparent in many everyday situations."
 Concrete terms refer to objects or events available to the senses.
Examples include: spoon, table, computer, radio
 Concrete words stimulate a sensory response from the reader.
 Consider the example:
 “The apple is juicy and sweet.”
Denotation and Connotation
Writers often use words based on their
denotation (dictionary definition) or
their connotation (the meaning
associated with a word).
Denotation of snake = scaly, legless,
reptile
Connotation of snake = treacherous,
evil, betrayer
What else should we
consider when analyzing diction?
When analyzing diction, also consider sound. Are the words harsh
sounding (cacophonous) or pleasant sounding (euphonious)?
Examples:
Mary looked so eager to receive her award. Her brilliance was
well received.
Brilliance = euphonious
The crackle of the frying chicken made my hungry stomach growl.
Crackle = cacophonous
In considering all the aspects of DICTION, ask
yourself the following questions:
 Which effect does the author try to achieve through the use of specific
types of diction?
 What does the author’s use of diction suggest about his/her attitude
toward the subject, event, or character?
 What are the connotations of a given word used in a particular context?
(To begin, you might ask if the word(s) have a positive or negative
connotation, then consider them in the specific context.)
 What words would best describe the diction in a specific passage or the
text in general?