Diction Target: To understand the levels and forms of diction and the effects writers intentionally create through word choice.

Diction = Word Choice Why Diction? Writers employ diction to: – Communicate ideas and impressions, – Evoke emotions – Convey their views of truth to the reader.

Types of Diction Slang – a group of recently coined words often used in informal situations. Slang words often come and go quickly, passing in and out of usage within months or years. Colloquial expressions – non-standard, often regional ways of using language appropriate to informal conversation.

Types of Diction Jargon – words and expressions characteristic of a particular trade, profession, or pursuit. Dialect – nonstandard subgroup of language with its own vocabulary and grammatical features. Writers often use regional dialects or dialects that reveal a person’s economic or social class.

Types of Diction Mark Twain makes use of dialect in the following passage from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer: “Sho, there’s ticks-a-plenty. I could have a thousand of ‘em if I wanted to.” “Well, why don’t you? Becuz you know mighty well you can’t. This is a pretty early tick, I reckon. It’s the first one I’ve seen this year.”

Types of Diction Concrete diction – specific words that describe physical qualities or conditions. The following passage from The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison uses concrete diction to describe an experience Pecola has at Junior’s house: 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 the cat. He wound himself in and about her legs. Momentarily distracted from her fear, she squatted down to touch him, her hands wet from the tears. The cat rubbed up against her knee. He was black all over, deep silky black, and his eyes, pointing down toward his nose, were bluish green. The light made them shine like blue ice. Pecola rubbed the cat’s head; he whined, his tongue flicking with pleasure. The blue eyes in the black face held her.

Types of Diction Abstract diction – language that denotes ideas, emotions, conditions, or concepts that are intangible. Some examples of abstract diction are words such as impenetrable, incredible, inscrutable, inconceivable, and unfathomable.

Types of Diction Denotation - the exact, literal definition of a word independent of any emotional association or secondary meaning. Connotation – the meaning of the word as it is defined by suggestions, associations, and emotional overtones attached to the word. For example – the difference between the words house and home.

Level of Diction: High/Formal High or Formal Diction usually contains language that creates an elevated tone. It is free of slang, idioms, colloquialisms, and contractions. It often contains polysyllabic words, sophisticated syntax, and elegant word choice.

Example of Formal Diction From Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlett 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. 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.

Level of Diction: Neutral Neutral diction uses standard language and vocabulary without elaborate words and may include contractions.

Neutral Diction Example From Ernest Hemingway’s novel, The 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. 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.

Informal/Low Diction Informal/low diction is the language of everyday use. It is relaxed and conversational. It often includes: – common and simple words – idioms – slang – jargon – contractions

Informal Diction Example 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! What the devil does anybody need with three quarts of milk?