Transcript DICTION

NOTES and PRACTICE
*PPT created and adapted based on lessons from Discovering Voice, by Nancy Dean
And N.Spence
Diction refers to the author‘s choice of words.
The perfect word is clear, concrete, and exact.
In other words, it says exactly what you want it
to say, is specific, and creates just the picture
you see in your mind.
•A character doesn‘t just look for something;
she rummages, strains, observes or glares.
 An author doesn’t “show” or “use” an author
“illustrates”, “ignites”, and “creates”
 Adjectives, Adverbs, Verbs
 •A thesaurus is one of the best tools.
•Slang refers to a group of 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 are nonstandard, often regional,
ways of using language appropriate to informal or
conversational speech and writing. The characteristic ―ayah‖
of the Maine resident or the southern word ―y‘all‖ are
examples.
•Jargon consists of words and expressions characteristic of a
particular trade, profession, or pursuit. In education
―CAHSEE, API, AYP, Star testing, Cat 6‖
•Dialect is a nonstandard subgroup of a language with its
own vocabulary and grammatical features. Writers often use
regional dialect or dialects that reveal a person‘s economic or
social class.
habiliment –attire- dress -clothes -get-upthreads
•Formal- free of slang, idioms, colloquialisms,
and contractions. Elegant language, complex
syntax.
•Neutral- standard language and vocab without
elaborate words and may include contractions.
•Informal- language of everyday use. It is
relaxed and conversational. Includes common
and simple words, idioms, slang, jargon and
contractions.
Abstract=refer to ideas or concepts; they have
no physical referents
Ex: love, success, freedom, good, moral,
democracy, and any -ism
Concrete=refer to objects or events that are
available to the senses.
Ex: spoon, table, velvet eye patch, nose ring,
sinus mask, green, hot, walking.
LEAD—To Analyze Diction
 Low or informal diction (dialect, slang,
jargon)
 Elevated language or formal diction (textbook
writing)
 Abstract or concrete diction
 Denotation and connotation