DDIST:
The Tools for Close Reading
By: Mark Afram
First, What’s a Close Reading?
• According to Harvard’s
Writing Center, a close
reading is when a
reader notes the “facts
and details of the text,
[including]…patterns
[and]…repetitions.”
A different kind of close reading…
Now, What’s DDIST?
• DDIST is an acronym
popular amongst literature
instructors
• It stands for:
• Diction
• Detail
• Imagery
• Syntax
• Tone
Exhibit A: Brilliant Teacher
Diction
• Diction: the choice and
use of words in speech
or writing.
Tupac is recognized for
his precise use of diction.
• Diction affects the
tone “attitude” of a
passage.
– ex. “playa” vs.
“gentleman”
Diction, Con’d
• Always consider
language that is unique,
specific, or “jumps out.”
• Also, consider if the
language is:
Diction: words that “jump out”
– monosyllabic vs.
polysyllabic
– colloquial (slang) vs.
formal
– concrete (specific) vs.
abstract (general,
conceptual)
Details
• Details: facts
included or omitted
• Key details greatly
enhance the
textual meaning or
the overall tone of
a passage.
The details make this picture!
Imagery
• Imagery: vivid mental
pictures that appeal
to the senses
• Not only does
imagery affect the
tone (“attitude”) of
the passage, but it
also affects the
reader’s mood.
How does this image
appeal to your senses?
Imagery, Con’d
• Here are a few
techniques that create
vivid pictures:
– Alliteration: repetition of
an initial consonant sound
• Ex. The giggling girl gave
gum.
– Onomatopoeia: writing
sounds as words
• Ex. The clock went tick
tock.
– Hyperbole: a deliberate
exaggeration
• Ex. I’d die for a piece of
candy!
Imagery, Con’d
• Other techniques:
– Simile: a comparison
using “like” or “as”
• Ex. His legs are like tree
stumps.
– Metaphor: a comparison
• Ex. The man’s jacket is a
rainbow
– Personification:
attributing human
qualities to inhuman
objects
• Ex. The alarm clock
shrieked.
Syntax
• Syntax: the way a
sentence is structured
• These sentences affect
the tone:
Declarative
– Declarative: an
assertive statement
• Ex. He is guilty.
– Imperative: makes a
command
• Ex. Leave this house!
Imperative
Syntax, Con’d
• Sentence structure also
includes:
– Interrogative: asks a
question, generally
reflects uncertainty
• Ex. Are you my friend?
– Repetition: words or
ideas used more than
once
• Ex. The little boy put his
tiny hand in the glove.
Tone
What’s Hulk Hogan’s tone/attitude
in this photograph?
• Tone: words that
express the attitude of
the passage or entire
text; this also reflects
how the writer
interacts with the
reader. Note: Analysis
of tone is very
subjective.
• Always write tone in
this way: _______
tone.
Tone, Con’d
• Describe the tone of the
following passage:
Tupac Shakur
My homeboy’s doing life
Begging mama be stressing
Shedding tears
When her son finally ask
that questions:
Where my daddy at?
Mama, Why we live so poor?
Why you crying?
-Tupac Shakur, “White Man’z
World”
Works Cited
"D-I-D-L-S." D-I-D-L-S. 7 July 2008
<http://yhspatriot.yorktown.arlington.k12.va.us/~rsadaus/DIDLS.doc>.
"Diction." Def. 1. Dictionary.com. 7 July 2008
<http://dictionary.reference.com/>.
"DIDLS Breakdown." KHS English Department Homepage. 7 July 2008
<http://www.kisd.org/khs/english/help%20page/DIDLS%20Breakdown.htm>.
Kain, Patricia. "How to Do a Close Reading." Harvard.edu. Writing Center at Harvard
University, 1998. Web. 3 Sept. 2012.
<http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~wricntr/documents/CloseReading.html>.