1. Choosing the Right Words Diction and Connotations
Sharon Elin / CCPS Online revised 2012

2. Think of words as superheroes.

3. Think of words as superheroes.
They appear ordinary most of the time, but they have hidden powers.

4. What is Diction?

5. What is Diction?
The selection of the most precise words and phrases that express a message correctly, clearly, and effectively.

6. Diction includes…

7. Diction includes…
Grammar

8. Diction includes…
Grammar
Vocabulary

9. Grammar Vocabulary Sounds of words
Diction includes…
Grammar
Vocabulary
Sounds of words

10. Grammar Vocabulary Sounds of words Tones or attitudes of words
Diction includes…
Grammar
Vocabulary
Sounds of words
Tones or attitudes of words

11. Tones or attitudes of words
Diction includes…
Grammar
Vocabulary
Sounds of words
Tones or attitudes of words
Meanings of words

12. Diction includes making choices, such as …

13. Diction includes making choices, such as …
Active or Passive

14. Diction includes making choices, such as …
Active or Passive
Slang or Standard

15. Diction includes making choices, such as …
Active or Passive
Slang or Standard
Formal or Casual

16. Diction includes making choices, such as …
Active or Passive
Slang or Standard
Formal or Casual
Simple or Complex

17. Diction includes making choices, such as …
Active or Passive
Slang or Standard
Formal or Casual
Simple or Complex
Abstract or Concrete

18. Diction includes making choices, such as …
Active or Passive
Slang or Standard
Formal or Casual
Simple or Complex
Abstract or Concrete
Connotative or Denotative

19. Why is diction important?

20. Why is diction important?
"Your diction, the exact words you choose and the settings in which you use them, means a great deal to the success of your writing…”

21. Why is diction important?
"Your diction, the exact words you choose and the settings in which you use them, means a great deal to the success of your writing…”
“While your language should be appropriate to the situation, that generally still leaves plenty of room for variety…”

22. Why is diction important?
"Your diction, the exact words you choose and the settings in which you use them, means a great deal to the success of your writing…”
“While your language should be appropriate to the situation, that generally still leaves plenty of room for variety…”
“Skillful writers mix words to administer a series of small but telling surprises...”

23. Why is diction important?
"Your diction, the exact words you choose and the settings in which you use them, means a great deal to the success of your writing…”
“While your language should be appropriate to the situation, that generally still leaves plenty of room for variety…”
“Skillful writers mix words to administer a series of small but telling surprises...”
“Readers stay interested because they don't know exactly what's coming next.”
(Joe Glaser, Understanding Style: Practical Ways to Improve Your Writing. Oxford Univ. Press, 1999)

24. Expand your vocabulary to improve your diction

26. Just as skilled artists need a palette of many colors, writers need a wide variety of words …

27. … and writers need to harness the power of certain words to influence readers in subtle, but powerful ways.

28. Understanding the art of using connotations gives writers a persuasive edge.

29. Connotation vs. Denotation

30. Connotation vs. Denotation
Denotation - The exact, literal meaning of a word
Connotation - The unspoken, hidden meaning that gives a word more emotional impact

31. Connotation vs. Denotation
Denotation - The exact, literal meaning of a word
“The family sat together in front of a warm fire.”
The denotative or literal interpretation of warm = nearly hot (actual temperature)

32. Connotation vs. Denotation
Connotation - The unspoken, hidden meaning that gives a word more emotional impact
“The family sat together in front of a warm fire.”
The connotative or figurative interpretation of warm = comforting; friendly (mood/tone)

33. Connotations
A connotation gives the reader or listener a distinct impression or feeling, calling on emotion rather than fact.
Through their connotations, words set a tone and can reveal hidden opinions, attitudes, or judgments.

34. Connotations
In the following examples, notice how synonyms have slightly different meanings, revealing a variety of connotations.

35. Mrs. Darcy knows the answers to questions no one else can answer.

36. She might be called informed.
Mrs. Darcy knows the answers to questions no one else can answer.
She might be called informed.

37. She might be called confident.
Mrs. Darcy knows the answers to questions no one else can answer.
She might be called confident.

38. She might be called conceited.
Mrs. Darcy knows the answers to questions no one else can answer.
She might be called conceited.

39. Mrs. Darcy knows the answers to questions no one else can answer.
informed
confident
conceited
Which of these words has a neutral connotation and merely states a fact, without opinions or judgment?

40. Mrs. Darcy knows the answers to questions no one else can answer.
informed
Which of these words has a neutral connotation and merely states a fact, without opinions or judgment?

41. Mrs. Darcy knows the answers to questions no one else can answer.
informed
confident
conceited
Which of these words has a positive connotation and could be considered a compliment?

42. Mrs. Darcy knows the answers to questions no one else can answer.
confident
Which of these words has a positive connotation and could be considered a compliment?

43. Mrs. Darcy knows the answers to questions no one else can answer.
informed
confident
conceited
Which of these words has a negative connotation and could be taken as criticism?

44. Mrs. Darcy knows the answers to questions no one else can answer.
conceited
Which of these words has a negative connotation and could be taken as criticism?

45. Home, House, or Residence? Which word connotes comfort and security?

46. Home, House, or Residence? Which word connotes comfort and security?

47. Home, House, or Residence? Which word connotes a formal or legal tone?

48. Home, House, or Residence? Which word connotes a formal or legal tone?

49. Home, House, or Residence?
Which word connotes an impersonal structure?

50. House Home, House, or Residence?
Which word connotes an impersonal structure?
House

51. Thin, Skinny, Slender, or Scrawny?
Which word has no connotation and simply denotes a neutral description?

52. Thin, Skinny, Slender, or Scrawny?
Which word has no connotation and simply denotes a neutral description?
Thin

53. Thin, Skinny, Slender, or Scrawny?
Which word connotes a desirable or admirable trait?

54. Slender Thin, Skinny, Slender, or Scrawny?
Which word connotes a desirable or admirable trait?
Slender

55. Thin, Skinny, Slender, or Scrawny?
Which word connotes an extreme insult implying weakness?

56. Scrawny Thin, Skinny, Slender, or Scrawny?
Which word connotes an extreme insult implying weakness?
Scrawny

57. Thin, Skinny, Slender, or Scrawny?
Which word connotes a slight insult about being underweight?

58. Skinny Thin, Skinny, Slender, or Scrawny?
Which word connotes a slight insult about being underweight?
Skinny

59. Connotations Try it on your own!
Here are more examples showing how synonyms describing the same thing can have different meanings.
The differences are subtle, yet the words have suggestive, persuasive powers that will influence readers.

60. Which word has a connotation of criticism?
lazy or relaxed?
Which word has a connotation of criticism?

61. Which word has a tastier connotation?
juicy or greasy?
Which word has a tastier connotation?

62. Which word has a more sympathetic connotation?
victim or loser?
Which word has a more sympathetic connotation?

63. Review…

64. What does this definition refer to?
The selection of the most precise words and phrases that express a message correctly, clearly, and effectively.

65. What does this definition refer to?
The selection of the most precise words and phrases that express a message correctly, clearly, and effectively.
Diction

66. Remember the difference?
Denotation vs. Connotation
Remember the difference?

67. Denotation - The exact, literal meaning of a word
Connotation - The unspoken, hidden meaning that gives a word more emotional impact

68. Pay attention to your diction,
Choosing the best words:
Pay attention to your diction,

69. Pay attention to your diction,
Choosing the best words:
Pay attention to your diction,
grow your vocabulary,

70. Pay attention to your diction,
Choosing the best words:
Pay attention to your diction,
grow your vocabulary,
and
use the power of connotations

71. Thanks for watching viewing examining considering analyzing exploring!