1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Levels of Diction High or formal diction Neutral diction
Informal or low diction

4. High or Formal 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.

5. High or Formal Diction
Discerning 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.
Usually contains language that creates an elevated tone. It is free of slang, idioms, collquialisms, and contractions. It often contains polysyllabic words, sophisticated syntax, and elegant word choice.

6. Neutral Diction
Uses standard language and vocabulary without elaborate words and may include contractions.

7. Neutral Diction
The 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, Copyright Gale Group.
Uses standard language and vocabulary without elaborate words and may include contractions.

8. 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.

9. Informal or Low Diction
Three 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.
The language of everyday use. It is relaxed and conversational. It often includes common and simple words, idioms, slang, jargon, and contractions.

10. Types of Diction Slang Colloquial expressions Jargon Dialect Idioms
Concrete Diction
Abstract Diction
Denotation
Connotation

11. 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.
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.

12. 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

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

14. Jargon Cuddy Taffrail Mizzen Binnacle
Words and expressions characteristic of a particular trade, profession, or pursuit. Nautical jargon
Words and expressions characteristic of a particular trade, profession, or pursuit. Nautical jargon

15. 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.
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.

16. 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.

17. 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
Specific words that describe physical qualities or conditions. This passage uses concrete diction to describe an experience Pecola has at Junior’s house

18. Abstract Diction Impenetrable Incredible Inscrutable Inconceivable
Unfathomable
Refers to language that denotes ideas, emotions, conditions, or concepts that are intangible.
Refers to language that denotes ideas, emotions, conditions, or concepts that are intangible.

19. Denotation House/Home Grass/lawn
Exact, literal definition of a word independent of any emotional association or secondary meaning.
Exact, literal definition of a word independent of any emotional association or secondary meaning.

20. 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.
Implicit rather than explicit meaning of a word. Consists of suggestions, associations, and emotional overtones attached to a word.

21. Misinterpreting denotation and connotation in a literary work translates into misinterpreting tone and theme.

22. 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

23. Effects of slang Lack of education Camaraderie
Familiarity between friends
Familiarity where there is none
disrespect

24. Dialect
Can create personality in a character

25. 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

26. Jargon
Can create trust if a particular person knows the terminology of a profession
Can make the person seem knowledgeable to the audience