Complexities of Language
 Literary Artists (the good ones at least) choose their
words carefully…
 It is helpful to consider the things they could’ve done,
but chose NOT to…
 …and then ask yourself why…
EXAMPLE:
Quote: “Baby, baby, baby…oooohhhh” (J. Bieber)
C but D: the “artist” could’ve said “darling, darling, darling”…
 Even the most basic elements of language are in fact
very complex.
 Diction (word choice) is one of these basic
ingredients.
 Reasons for employing different types of diction:
 To communicate with denotative accuracy
 To evoke emotions
 To suggest connections
 High or Formal Diction
 Neutral Diction
 Informal or Low Diction
 Creates an elevated tone
 Free from slang, idioms, colloquialisms, and
contractions
 Often features polysyllabic words, sophisticated syntax,
and elegant word choice
“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. So forcibly did he
dwell upon this symbol, for the hour or more during
which his periods were rolling over the people’s heads,
that it assumed new terrors in their imagination, and
seemed to derive its scarlet hue from the flames of the
infernal pit.”
Nathaniel Hawthorne – The Scarlet Letter
 Uses standard language and vocabulary
 Without elaborate words
 May include contractions
“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. Then on his back,
with his tail lashing and his jaws clicking, the shark plowed
over the water as a speedboat does. The water was white
where his tail beat it and three-quarters of his body was
clear above the water when the rope came taut, shivered,
and then snapped. The shark lay quietly for a little while
on the surface and the old man watched him. Then he
went down very slowly.”
Ernest Hemingway – The Old Man and the Sea
 The language of everyday use
 Relaxed and conversational
 Includes simple and common words, idioms, slang,
jargon, and contractions.
“Three quarts of milk. That’s what was in the 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?”
Toni Morrison – The Bluest Eye
 Slang
 Colloquial Expressions
 Jargon
 Dialect
 Concrete Diction
 Abstract Diction
 Denotation
 Connotation
Slang
Colloquial
Expressions
Jargon
Dialect
Key features:
•Recently
coined
•Informal
•ephemeral
•non-standard
•Regional
•Informal /
conversational
•Common to a
particular
trade,
profession, or
pursuit
•Non-standard
•Subgroup of a
language
•unique
vocabulary
and grammar
Examples
OMG
“Y’all”
(Oh my God)
(southern U.S.)
Nautical
Terms 
Newfie
English 
LOL
“Rubbish”
(Laughing out
loud)
(UK)
“cuddy” – a cabin
on a ship
What are ye at?: or
"Wadda ya'at b'y?"
“taffrail” – one of a
ship’s railings
("What are you
doing?“)
Noob
(New person)
“mizzen” – a mast
 Concrete Diction
 Specific words that describe physical qualities or
conditions
 “Something soft and furry moved around her ankles”
 “He was black all over, deep silky black, and his eyes, pointing
down toward his nose were bluish green.”
 Abstract Diction
 Denotes ideas, emotions, conditions, or concepts that
are intangible
 impenetrable / incredible / inscrutable / inconceivable /
unfathomable
 Denotation
 The exact, literal definition of a word
 Independent of any emotional association or secondary
meaning
 Connotation
 The implicit, rather than explicit meaning of a word
 Suggestions, associations, and emotional overtones
attached to a word
HOUSE  HOME
 We often think of imagery in writing as something you
can SEE.
 But in actuality, it must be considered as anything you
can IMAGINE.
BEAUTY
JUSTICE
FAITH
DOUBT
GUILT
CONFIDENCE
VIOLENCE
COMPASSION
PARANOIA
NOSTALGIA
FREEDOM
EPHEMERALITY
Concrete
Abstract
it was a summer night with a billion
sparkling stars above,
and crickets and frogs singing in
the damp marshes beyond my
back porch.
__________________________
the night was beautiful
it was a dark night deep in winter
when a three-foot blanket of snow
covered everything like a heavy
white comforter, and the stillness
was broken only by the clanging
church bells echoing off the still
brick buildings and filling the
street.
 Lay your sleeping head, my love,
Human on my faithless arm;
Time and fevers burn away
Individual beauty from
Thoughtful children, and the grave
Proves the child ephemeral:
But in my arms till break of day
Let the living creature lie,
Mortal, guilty, but to me
The entirely beautiful.