1. Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say
Diction
Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say

2. Diction = word choice Creates the writer’s voice
Creates the tone of a text

3. Diction Levels of language: Formal- (proper) Informal- (casual)
Language characterized by a learned vocabulary and grammatically correct forms; does not usually include slang
Informal- (casual)
Language closest to everyday conversation; may include slang

4. Denotation and Connotation
What a word means (dictionary definition)
What a word signifies without emotional associations, judgements, or opinions
Connotation
Emotions behind a word
Usually determined through context

5. Tone
The speaker’s attitude or emotion toward the subject matter or audience, as revealed by the choice of language.
Examples- sarcastic, matter-of-fact, cold, energetic, academic, humorous, etc.

6. Syntax The order of the words; the text’s structure
Sentences can be long or short, written in the active voice or passive voice.

7. Syntax
A good way to look at syntax is to see how a paragraph is punctuated.
If a paragraph has a lot of short sentences, it is slower to read and choppy.
EX: I hate people who lie. My brother lies. It makes me so mad. I can hardly think. It makes me so, so angry.

8. Syntax
If a sentence is really long, and has lots of clauses in it, it is faster to read.
While I need to go to the grocery store, I actually want to go to the park, and then I want to go to the zoo.

9. Syntax How does the change of syntax affect the tone of the story?
EX: After we go to the park, I am ready to go to the zoo, and I really want to see the tigers. My mom warned my three year old brother, “ Do NOT go by the monkeys. They are mean!”