1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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?

4. 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 , 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…

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

6. 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?

7. Positive and Negative Connotation
Negative Neutral Positive
Chick Woman Lady

8. 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