Diction

• In all forms of literature, nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and drama—authors choose particular words to convey effect and meaning to the reader. Writers employ diction, or word choice to communicate ideas and impressions, to evoke emotions, and to convey their views of truth to the reader.

Levels of Diction

• High or formal diction

• Neutral diction

• Informal or low 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.

High or Formal Diction

High or Formal DictionDiscerning 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.

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1850.

Neutral Diction

• Uses standard language and vocabulary without elaborate words and may include contractions.

Neutral DictionThe 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.From Old Man and the Sea, by Hemingway, Ernest, Scribner’s, 1995. Copyright Gale Group.

Informal or Low Diction

• The language of everyday use. It is relaxed and conversational. It often includes common and simple words, idioms, slang, jargon, and contractions.

Informal or Low DictionThree 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 comin’ in and getting’ what they want, but three quarts of milk! What the devil does anybody need with three quarts of milk?

Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. Copyright 1970 by Toni Morrison.

Types of Diction

• Slang• Colloquial expressions• Jargon• Dialect• Idioms• Concrete Diction• Abstract Diction• Denotation• Connotation

Slang

• Feel some typa way

• Natnat

• Bling-bling

• Ratchet

Group 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

• Sidity

• Y’all

• Fixin’ to (Fidna)

• Yonder

• directly

• Nonstandard, often regional, ways of using language appropriate to informal or conversational speech and writing. Maine residents/southern words

Jargon

• Cuddy

• Taffrail

• Mizzen

• Binnacle

• Words and expressions characteristic of a particular trade, profession, or pursuit. Nautical jargon

Dialect• “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 might well you can’t. This is a pretty early tick, I reckon. It’s the first one I’ve seen this year.”

• Nonstandard subgroup of a language with its own vocabulary and grammatical features. Writers often use regional dialects or dialects that reveal a person’s economic or social class.

Idioms• Tighter than bark on a tree---stingy

• Big hat, no cattle---lots of talk, no action

• Throw in the towel---quit

• Piece of cake—easy

• Expressions, usually peculiar to a group or region of people, that can’t be understood from the meanings of the individual words.

Concrete Diction• 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.

• Specific words that describe physical qualities or conditions. This passage uses concrete diction to describe an experience Pecola has at Junior’s house

Abstract Diction• Impenetrable• Incredible• Inscrutable• Inconceivable• Unfathomable

• Refers to language that denotes ideas, emotions, conditions, or concepts that are intangible.

Denotation

• House/Home

• Grass/lawn

• Exact, literal definition of a word independent of any emotional association or secondary meaning.

Connotation

• Home connotes safety, coziness, security

• House implies the dictionary definition of the physical structure

• Implicit rather than explicit meaning of a word. Consists of suggestions, associations, and emotional overtones attached to a word.

Misinterpreting denotation and connotation in a literary work translates into misinterpreting

tone and theme.

Levels of Connotation

Childlike Childish Immature

Low income Poor destitute

Plump Fat obese

Filled Packed jammed

Fragrance Odor stench

Home House shack

Plain Homely ugly

Effects of slang

• Lack of education

• Camaraderie

• Familiarity between friends

• Familiarity where there is none

• disrespect

Dialect

• Can create personality in a character

Jargon

• Familiarity with the audience, letting them know that you speak their language, that you belong to their group

• Resentment• Confusion• Can sound pretentious• Can sound like showing off• Can be offensive

Jargon

• Can create trust if a particular person knows the terminology of a profession

• Can make the person seem knowledgeable to the audience