Diction An author's choice of words. Since words have specific meanings, and since one's choice of words can affect feelings, a writer's choice of words can have great impact in a literary work. The writer, therefore, must choose his words carefully.

Diction is word choice intended to convey a certain effect What is diction? Diction is word choice intended to convey a certain effect To communicate ideas and impressions To evoke emotions To convey your views of truth to the reader

Diction has to do with the author’s word choice. What words are he/she choosing to get his/her point across? Denotation: This is the LITERAL meaning of a word. Dictionary definition Connotation: Ideas or feelings that a word creates inside the reader. Levels of Diction: Formal Informal Slang/Colloquial HOW DOES DICTION AFFECT TONE?

Formal: Elevated/archaic Informal: Standard language Levels of Diction Formal: Elevated/archaic Informal: Standard language Slang/Colloquial: Low diction (ultra informal) If you were addressing your boss in an email, you would most likely use… If you were sending a text to your girlfriend/boyfriend, you would most likely use… If you were talking to your parents, you would most likely use…

You may live in a house, but we live in a home. The denotation (literal meaning) of home and house = roughly “a dwelling place”

What do you think of when you hear… House Home Maybe… Maybe… **Roof **Comfort **Structure **Love **Place where people **Security live **Privacy **Warmth Think about this: What do you think it means when realtors use the word home more frequently than they do house?

Positive and Negative Connotation Negative Neutral Positive Chick Woman Lady

Noun—A person, place, or thing. Adjective—Describes a noun Parts of Speech Noun—A person, place, or thing. Tree, Boy, Mom, School, etc. Adjective—Describes a noun RED car, GREEN grass, BIG dog, etc. Verb—a word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence She RAN to my house; I WORK at 3:00; etc. Adverb—a word or phrase that modifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb The girl ran VERY fast; I am REALLY tired