Diction and Tone Notes

DICTION….. "The difference between the almost-right word and the right word is really a large matter." ―Mark Twain

Diction Diction refers to an author’s word choice. Every word is chosen for a reason! Words should be analyzed on 3 levels: Appearance Meaning Sound NEVER SAY OR WRITE: “The author uses a lot of diction.” Why?

Formal vs. Informal Diction Formal: Language more appropriate for formal occasions or contexts Informal: Conversational or colloquial language Dialect: a nonstandard subgroup of a language with its own vocabulary and grammatical features. Slang: recently coined words or phrases; very casual speech; usually short-lived Jargon: consists of words and expressions characteristic of a particular trade, profession, or pursuit. (gigabyte, logic board, CPU, DVD, burner = _________ jargon?)

Literal vs. Figurative Literal Language: Straightforward and without embellishment Figurative Language: Embellished or comparative language to achieve effect. For example: Simile: Comparison using like or as Metaphor: Implied comparison between two unlike things Personification: Non-human objects are given human characteristics

Concrete v. Abstract CONCRETE- depicting a scene in precise terms so that the reader has no scope to sway from the picture you want to build In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort (The Hobbit) ABSTRACT- allows the viewer to imagine his own version of the scene depicted by the author; usually to convey emotion

Denotation vs. Connotation Denotation: The exact meaning of a word (think Dictionary Definition) Connotation: The emotional or associated meanings of a word Connotation can be positive or negative, but can be described in more descriptive ways. Example: What are the different suggested meanings between the words dog and mutt?

Tone v. Mood TONE: The way the author feels about his or her subject. The attitude toward subject Tone can be conveyed through “voice” and diction. MOOD: The atmosphere created by the speaker, the setting, the events, or the narrator How you (the reader) feel as a result of reading the piece.

More on Tone To misinterpret tone is to misinterpret meaning! Analyzing how tone contributes to meaning and attitude in literature—In order to answer these questions, you will also need to examine the speaker’s diction; circling words is a good strategy. How does the author feel about his/her subject? How does the author feel about the characters? How does the author feel about the events presented? How does the author feel about his/her audience (readers)? Does the author have different feelings for his/her subject and his/her audience? Does the narrator feel the same as the author? To misinterpret tone is to misinterpret meaning!