The tone or atmosphere of a piece of writing is also considered to be part of diction. The great authors you read have a master over syntax, or sentence structure. Choosing more elevated words will establish a formality to the piece of literature, while choosing slang will make it informal. This is the difference between spy novels by, for example, John le Carr (Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy; A Most Wanted Man) and Dan Brown (The Da Vinci Code; Inferno). , which is slang thats understood only by people in a certain profession or trade. One particular example of this is Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, written in the 1300s. Voice in literature is the individual style in which a certain author writes his or her works. It goes even deeper than thatconsider the language you use when youre speaking to a child or trying to describe a feeling you cant quite explain. However, it's crucial, when analyzing diction, to look closely at how a writer develops the tone of a book, play, or poem by making very small changes in their word choice or level of speech. Syntax is concerned with the word order, agreement of subject and verb, etc. Some examples of current slang terms would be tea for gossip, shady for suspicious, or ripped for physically fit. Below, we outline the nine most common and useful types of diction; understanding these will increase the quality of your writing in a variety of situations. Explore this list of strong words you can use when detailing the power of diction. Through diction, a writer can sound friendly or serious, knowledgeable or clueless, poetic or dry. The children/students in the story are genuinely interested in learning about death and where the dead go. To best show the differences in each of the diction types, we use the same example: the speaker disagreeing with what was just said. And they said, is death that which gives meaning to life? Abstract diction refers to words that do not appeal imaginatively to the reader's senses. This is also called archaism but it is mostly the use of classical or outdated words that constitute archaism. Samuel Daniel. Therefore, rather than Hurston choosing to portray Janie through simple colloquial diction, she allows the protagonist to reflect a complex female character through the artistic style of her words and vocabulary. Diction Examples in Literature James Joyce is known for his unique style in writing, especially his novel Ulysses. Informal diction examples include yep, nope, I dunno, and hey. The earliest critical reference to poetic diction is Aristotle's remark in the Poetics that it should be clear without being "mean." But subsequent generations of poets were more scrupulous in avoiding meanness than in cultivating clarity. [What does this mean? Although the two are related and affect one another, they represent different ideas. Diction is the literary device that refers to these linguistic word choices and their artistic arrangement by a writer. However, this essay will seek to highlight its literary analysis by focusing on such literary work as title, setting, character, first-person narration, tone, diction, and use of sharp details; as used by the author. Concrete words used in diction include dog, cat, computer, radio, ice cube, hat, tree, etc. Slang can also encompass business jargon, which is slang thats understood only by people in a certain profession or trade. Talk to you soon.". Diction involves choice and flexibilitydifferent writers can use different words to sound unique, even when they are describing the same thing. Wanna grab dinner this Friday? The second meaning, diction in speech, is completely different. Nick has a far more formal way of speaking its cultured and sophisticated and sets a very different tone for Fitzgeralds story. Do you like green eggs and ham? Diction determines the words you use, which consequently determines the writing style and. Outsiders find it more difficult to understand than normal language because they havent been exposed to the same vocabulary. Fitzgerald's choice of words like "powdery," "crumbling," "leaden," and "ash-gray" refer to the textures and materials of this industrial landscape. No matter what anybody says to you, dont you let em get your goat. In this sentence this softness is applied to the skin. This diction example is quite formal, even though Sherlock Holmes is speaking to his close friend Dr. Watson. If the type of diction presented is not aligned with a readers expectations, this can be an incongruent result that may lead to misunderstanding or misinterpretation of what is being expressed. "That woman is a dove at heart." - Here, the dove implies peace or gentility. It could be used in various senses such as phraseology, phrasing, rephrasing, turn of a phrase, choice of words, wording, use of language, language, parlance, vocabulary, terms, terminology, jargon, idiolect, locution, etc. A person who speaks clearly has good diction, while a person who mumbles or mispronounces their words has poor diction. You just hold your head high and keep those fists down. When speaking to his daughter, though, he changes his diction and uses short, simple phrases and words. Here are a few examples: Fuzz-police Tuff-something cool Woofin-kidding Hacked off-angry Heater-a gun Colloquial diction also includes special expressions that are popular only in certain areas. Audience refers to who will be reading the work. If someone were to write this way today, we might call it high diction, or we might question the choice to write such inaccessible verse. Better: Mart-Co rescinded its employees' health insurance. Diction can seem like a very broad term that includes all of a writer's style, but it's possible to break down the concept by looking at some specific examples. share, debate, and test new ideas, theories, concepts. Heres a quick and simple definition: Diction is a writer's unique style of expression, especially his or her choice and arrangement of words. Atticus uses very formal language in his profession, as he is a celebrated lawyer. Onomatopoeia, a sonic device, refers . Syntax, on the other hand, is more tied to, , so theres less flexibility involved. Write at least 5 examples in the given figurative languages stated above. . Archaic Diction Examples in Romantic Literature Since archaic diction is. They asked me, where did they go? Aristotle was the first writer in the Western tradition to discuss diction. . The windows were ajar and gleaming white against the fresh grass outside that seemed to grow a little way into the house. The forest had been green in the summer when we had come into the town but now there were the stumps and the broken trunks and the ground torn up, and one day at the end of the fall when I was out where the oak forest had been I saw a cloud coming over the mountain. In this article, however, we focus solely on diction for writing, the choice of words. . For example, the speaker wonders at "the depth and passion of its earnest glance" and "the spot of joy" on her cheek, as well as how "she thanked/as if she ranked." Because The Canterbury Tales are written in Middle English, today's readers interpret the book's style as formal. I feel myself called upon, by our relationship, and my situation in life, to condole with you on the grievous affliction you are now suffering under, of which we were yesterday informed by a letter from Hertfordshire. A breeze blew through the room, blew curtains in at one end and out the other like pale flags, twisting them up toward the frosted wedding-cake of the ceiling, and then rippled over the wine-colored rug, making a shadow on it as wind does on the sea. Poets often dig out such old-fashioned words to write poetry to meet the demands of rhythm or metrical pattern. For example, in George Bernard Shaws play Pygmalion, Professor Henry Higgins famously teaches Eliza Doolittle to speak like an upper-class lady as opposed to a lower-class flower girl, changing who she is as a person and how she is regarded by others through changing her diction: Remember that you are a human being with a soul and the divine gift of articulate speech: that your native language is the language of Shakespeare and Milton and The Bible; and dont sit there crooning like a bilious pigeon. As you may know, I have requested to change my field of study. As a literary device, diction refers to the linguistic choices made by a writer to convey an idea or point of view, or tell a story, in an effective way. This is one of the most popular literary devices and one you probably learned about in school. Diction can create a representation of a characters outer appearance and/or inner state of mind for the reader. Were they left without health insurance?] In Hurstons novel, Janies diction helps to establish the setting of rural Florida in the early 1900s. Not only in common communication of daily lives but also in literary works, diction plays an important role in setting things right. (The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Daz). Sheldon Cooper of the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory is an excellent example of someone using pedantic diction. A work's diction forms one of its centrally important literary elements, as writers use words to convey action, reveal character, imply attitudes, identify themes, and suggest values. For example, using steed or stallion instead of a horse is an archaic usage of the word. And I said, I dont know, I dont know. He didnt say any more, but weve always been unusually communicative in a reserved way, and I understood that he meant a great deal more than that. Then they said, but isnt death, considered as a fundamental datum, the means by which the taken-for-granted mundanity of the everyday may be transcended in the direction of I said, yes, maybe.They said, we dont like it.I said, thats sound.They said, its a bloody shame!I said, it is. This comes across as pretentious, making the reader feel like theyre being talked down to, and also making them less interested in what the writer has to say. But, as a writer, you paint a picture of love with abstract diction. Sentence structure in turn affects paragraph structure, so its best to also put some thought into diction before your writing goes in a direction you didnt intend. Examples of Diction: Hey, what's up, man? Diction (DIK-shun) is word choice, or the intentional selection of vocabulary that is most effective, appropriate, or clear.Teachers and academics often use the term when examining why a writer chose a given word and how this choice affects the text's meaning and expression. to. It would be a privilege to contribute to the betterment of this institution." Neutral diction would sound like, "Thank you for your time. Try fighting with your head for a change., While Atticus Finch normally has a more reserved manner of speech, when he is talking to his daughter, Scout, his tone and cadence change. Be assured, my dear Sir, that Mrs. Collins and myself sincerely sympathize with youAnd it is the more to be lamented, because there is reason to suppose, as my dear Charlotte informs me, that this licentiousness of behavior in your daughter, has proceeded from a faulty degree of indulgence, though, at the same time, for the consolation of yourself and Mrs. Bennet, I am inclined to think that her own disposition must be naturally bad, or she could not be guilty of such an enormity, at so early an age. Here are more examples of different diction choices based on formality: Authors make conscious and unconscious word choices all the time when writing literature, just as we do when speaking to one another. Terms|Privacy Policy|Refund Policy|Affiliate Disclosure. If your diction emphasizes slang terms, for example, then the tone of the writing will inevitably be informal. In general, it is stated that the words not in use in topical language are known as archaic words. Slang is often divided by generation, such as sussy, used by Gen Z, and nifty, used by baby boomers. Specifically, poetic diction relies on repetition, alliteration, figurative language, and other devices to create an emotional response in the reader. Struggling with distance learning? The poem "Still I Rise" is an inspiring composition that celebrates self-acceptance and self-love. The following list contains some of the most important rhetorical devices to understand: Alliteration, a sonic device, is the repetition of the initial sound of each word (e.g. It goes even deeper than thatconsider the language you use when youre speaking to a child or trying to describe a feeling you cant quite explain. Conversely, complex and sophisticated diction will create a more formal tone. For example, people in the Northeast and on the West Coast of the US use the word soda, those in the Northwest and Midwest say pop, and those in the Deep South use coke as a generic term. Get a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit Terms we cover. It can also express additional meanings or particular styles. We would not address a stranger in the same way as a good friend, and we would not address a boss in that same way as a child. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. In this letter, Jane breaks the news of their sister's elopement: Since writing the above, dearest Lizzy, something has occurred of a most unexpected and serious nature; but I am afraid of alarming yoube assured that we are all well. It is related to colloquial diction, as it uses looser, more friendly language. To best show the differences in each of the diction types, we use the same example: the speaker disagreeing with what was just said. Contrast that with Nick Carraway from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. How are you today? Vs. Hey, whats up?, Im a bit upset, Vs. Im so pissed off., I would be delighted! Vs. Sure, why not?, Ill do it right away, sir, Vs. Yeah, just a sec.. Its been a bad summer, the major said. To Kitty, however, it does not seem so wholly unexpected. Or, they have doubts about their own intelligence and need to prove it to themselves and everyone else. Which description paints a more detailed image of your meal? The words youd choose in an email to your. He wouldnt be no fatboy or dork, Could you be so kind as to pass me the milk? Vs. Give me that!, I regret to inform you that that is not the case. Vs. Youre wrong!, It is a pleasure to see you again! Concrete words are usually physical in form, describing the experiences of the five senses. Using powerful words to describe diction emphasizes the impact of words. Dialect and Diction. Formal language doesnt take any risks and can come across as bland or boring, but for the sake of clarity, its the best choice when speaking to strangers or authority figures. Being Northerners, theyd say you guys. In literary vocabulary, the word diction has a vast list of meanings. Also, did you picture two completely different speakers? Though I havent lived in the south for almost 20 years, I grew up there, and I still use the southern dialect of yall in my writing & speech. Dialect is the word usage, syntax, and grammar of a specific group of people, while diction refers to the way they pronounce words. While diction deals with the choice of words, syntax deals with the arrangement and organization of words. In Mark Twain's classic tale, Huck Finn, the narrator, is a 13-year-old boy growing up near the Mississippi River in the 1800s. Looking for diction examples to inspire your next writing project? Mr. Collins' uses what was considered to be high diction at the time: his writing is formal and flowery, his sentences carefully balanced and constructed. His diction and choice of words are carefully selected to create a sense of mystery and ambiguity, leaving the reader to ponder the deeper implications of the story. However, in this passage, the author cleverly reverses the diction expected by the reader by assigning formal diction to the elementary students and informal diction to their teacher, Edgar. In phonology and phonetics, diction is a way of speaking, usually judged in terms of prevailing standards of pronunciation and elocution. Common Connotation Examples Below are a few connotation examples. I'm so extra lol. POLONIUS: Neither a borrower nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend, and borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.B. For example, look at Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, You dont know about me without you have read a book by the name of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; but that aint no matter. I see that smile! Similar to slang, colloquial diction refers to specific words or phrases used in particular geographical locations. This is particularly notable because of the contrast between the sisters' use of low diction in their private letters and their use of high diction for public speech. over . Diction is often used in a way that meets the readers expectations, such as formal diction for business writing and informal diction for casual dialogue. Hes more relaxed speaking to her, using phrases like get your goat.. The poem Up In a Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson is a good example of poetic diction. This makes diction a crucial part of all, , or how well a speaker pronounces their words. Thus, in considering a writer's choice to use a certain type of diction, context is key. Although the American society abolished slavery . An example of regional dialect would be the word yall. It came very fast and the sun went a dull yellow and then everything was gray and the sky was covered and the cloud came on down the mountain and suddenly we were in it and it was snow. Examples of archaic diction abound in literature, real-world documents, religious teaching, and other areas. For example, the first line shows the description of deforestation. Informal diction is the opposite of formal diction; it involves the playful use of words, including jokes and wordplay. In other words, diction encompasses the distinct word choices, tone, and style used by a writer. Through diction, a writer can sound friendly or serious, knowledgeable or clueless, poetic or dry. In contrast, Austen gives Jane Bennet informal, low diction in her letters to her sister Elizabeth, which emphasizes the sisters' closeness. I bet your mommy is in love with you-that's right. Abstract diction is the description of emotions or ideas. The snow slanted across the wind, the bare ground was covered, the stumps of trees projected, there was snow on the guns and there were paths in the snow going back to the latrines behind trenches. Austen therefore carefully tailors each character's diction to emphasize the ways in which he or she does or does not conform to his or her social class, and to the expectations that come along with it. A presidential speech will almost always have a formal tone. Someone who is pedantic might mull over aspects such as precision and tiny details . develop knowledge. Youll learn how to create lifelong fans who hang on your every word so you never have to break through the noise again. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. The patient has experienced acute trauma to the right femur, and must have surgery stat. 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