DICTION NOTES and PRACTICE *PPT created and adapted based on lessons from Discovering Voice, by Nancy Dean And N.Spence

DICTION 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.

TYPES OF DICTION •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.

FORMAL INFORMAL habiliment –attire- dress -clothes -get-up- threads •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 OR CONCRETE? 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.

L-E-A-D 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