Diction
Diction: is word choice
All authors must choose
particular words to convey effect
and meaning to their readers.
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3 Levels of Diction
*High or formal
*Neutral
*Low or informal
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High or Formal Diction
contains language that creates an elevated tone
*no slang
*no idioms
*no contractions
*no colloquialisms
Here is an example from Hawthorne’s 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.”
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Neutral Diction
uses standard language and vocabulary without elaborate words
and may include a few contractions.
Here is an example from Hemingway’s 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.
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Low or Informal Diction
is the language of everyday use! It is relaxed and
conversational.
Here is an example from Morrison’s 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!
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TYPES OF DICTION
Slang- refers to a group of recently coined words often
used in informal situations. Slang words typically come
and go; passing in and out of usage.
Colloquialisms- nonstandard, often regional, ways of
using language. For example, “Ya’ll,” “put that up,” etc.
Jargon- words or expressions characteristic of a
particular trade. For example, “home run,” “stealing
bases,” “pitcher’s mound,” are all jargon for the
profession of baseball.
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Cont.
Dialect- a nonstandard subgroup of language with its
own vocabulary and grammatical features
Here’s an example from Tom Sawyer
“Sho there’s ticks a-plenty. I could have a thousand of
‘em if I wanted to.”
Concrete diction- consists of specific words that describe
physical qualities or conditions. Here’s an example from
Morrison, “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 a cat.”
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Cont.
Abstract diction- refers to language that denotes ideas,
emotions, conditions, or concepts. Here is an example
from Conrad, he uses the words, “Incredible, inscrutable,
inconceivable, and unfathomable.
Connotation- the suggested meaning of a word or
phrase.
Denotation- the literal meaning of a word (dictionary
definition of a word)
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Method for discerning diction:
L ow or informal diction
E levated language or formal diction
A bstract and concrete diction
D denotation and connotation
Neutral diction
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Practice
• Go choose a book from the bookshelf or
even something from your backpack.
• Analyze a section of prose for diction
using LEADN.
• Look for colloquialisms, slang, jargon, and
other forms of diction.
• Share with a partner and get a second
opinion.
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