1. Diction: Word Choice “The difference between the right word and almost the right word is like the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.” ~Mark Twain

2. Ways to Characterize Diction Think about these sentences: The respite from my study was devoted to a sojourn at the ancestral mansion. I spent my vacation at the house of my grandparents. I endeavored to peruse the volume. I tried to read the book.

3. Ways to Characterize Diction Monosyllabic Anglo-Saxon One syllable Ex: cat, fire Polysyllabic Norman/Latin Many syllables Ex: feline, conflagration The higher the ratio of polysyllabic words, the more difficult the content. It also makes the work seem more pompous and stuck up.

4. Ways to Characterize Diction Formal – germ, relatives, position, child, superior, communicate Informal – bug, folks, job, kid, boss, get across Examples: He’s nuts (slang) He’s insane (informal) He’s schizophrenic (formal)

5. Ways to Characterize Diction Denotative (referential/dictionary meaning) public servant, financier, law officer, legislative consultant, investigator, soldier of fortune Connotative (emotive/hidden meaning) bureaucrat, speculator, cop, lobbyist, spy, hired killer

6. Ways to Characterize Diction General look Walk Sit Cry Throw Specific Gaze, stare, peer, squint, ogle Stride, slink, trot, shuffle, drag Slump, squat, lounge, hunch Weep, sob, sigh, bawl, blubber Hurl, pitch, toss, dump, flip

7. Ways to Characterize Diction Abstract – unclear terms such as “good” Concrete – more specific terms, “devoted father” Jargon – appropriate to certain populations Euphonious – pleasant sounds (butterfly) Cacophonous – harsh sounds (pus)

8. Describing Diction – Other words Pedantic (overly concerned with minute details) Euphemistic Pretentious (exaggerated importance) Sensuous Exact Cultured Plain Literal Colloquial Artificial Detached Slang Idiomatic Esoteric (secret) Symbolic Simple Figurative Bombastic (pretentious) Abstruse Grotesque Poetic Moralistic Precise Vulgar (lack of good breeding or taste) Scholarly Insipid (without interesting qualitie Learned Picturesque Homespun Provincial (rustic, narrow, illiberal) Trite Obscure