Diction & Tone

Diction refers to the author’s choice of words Diction refers to the author’s choice of words. Tone is the attitude or feeling that the writer’s words express.

When analyzing diction, consider such questions as: Is the language concrete or abstract? Are the words monosyllabic or polysyllabic? Do the words have interesting connotations? Is the diction formal or colloquial or neutral? Is there any change in the level of diction in the passage? What can the reader infer about the speaker or the speaker’s attitude from the word choice?

Formal, neutral, or informal (incl., colloquial)? You don’t know about me without you have read a book by the name of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer; but that ain’t no matter. That book was made by Mr. Mark Twain, and he told the truth, mainly. There was things which he stretched, but mainly he told the truth. That is nothing. I never seen anybody but lied one time or another…

Formal, neutral, or informal (incl., colloquial)? A throng of bearded men, in sad-coloured garments and gray steeple-crowned hats, intermixed with women, some wearing hoods, and others bareheaded, was assembled in front of a wooden edifice, the door of which was heavily timbered with oak, and studded with iron spikes.

Formal, neutral, or informal (incl., colloquial)? All children, except one, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her mother. I suppose she must have looked rather delightful, for Mrs. Darling put her hand to her heart and cried, “Oh, why can’t you remain like this for ever!” …You always know after you ae two. Two is the beginning of the end.

Denotation means the literal, dictionary definition of the word – plump and obese both mean caloricly challenged Connotation means the implied or suggested meaning attached to a word, or the emotional “tag” that goes along with the word. Corpulent, plump, obese, heavy set, fleshy, fat, paunchy, burly, over-weight, roly-poly, bulky, portly, weighty, pudgy Which word do we use to insult someone? Which one do we use to describe someone we like? Which one do we use to describe a cute little baby?

The choice of diction contributes to the tone The choice of diction contributes to the tone. When discussing tone, consider such questions as: What seems to be the speaker’s attitude in the passage? Is more than one attitude or point of view expressed? Does the passage have a noticeable emotional mood or atmosphere? Can anything in the passage be described as irony?

ALWAYS use an adjective when describing diction and tone (use your Yellow Pages). ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone.

Now --- let’s try it

Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told about her fiancé and their wedding plans. What are the specific words that create the feeling of the sentence? What words did the author use to create the feeling of the sentence?

Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told about her fiancé and their wedding plans. Bouncing – lit – joyous – glow – fiancé - wedding What kind of words are these?

Bouncing into the room, she lit up the vicinity with a joyous glow on her face as she told about her fiancé and their wedding plans. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone. Cheerful diction contributes to the euphoric tone. OR Uplifting diction contributes to the joyful tone.

Drawing the attention of his classmates, as well as his teacher, the student dared to experiment with his professor’s intelligence by interrogating him about the Bible. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone. challenging diction contributes to the confrontational tone.

He furtively glanced behind him, for fear of his imagined pursuers, then hurriedly walked on, jumping at the slightest sound, even of a leaf crackling under his own foot. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone. threatening diction contributes to the frantic tone.

Remember… What kind of words are there. And how do they make you feel Remember… What kind of words are there? And how do they make you feel? Remember to use your Yellow Pages for appropriate adjectives to describe style, tone, diction, etc.

See………… The better, more detailed words you use to describe rhetorical strategies or devices, the more sophisticated your essays will be when you analyze authors’ writing.

And one last tip……….. Never, never, never, never, never say: “the author uses diction” do you mean – the author chooses words? Well, duh! Always say: the author uses ______(what kind of) diction indignant? dark? euphoric? Describe it!