DIDLS Revisited From Voice Lessons by Nancy Dean, and Everyday Use by Hephzibah Roskelly and David Jolliffe

Diction Word choice Writer’s purpose, to entertain, convince, amuse, inform, plead, etc., partly determines diction Diction differs on occasion. Like clothing, a more formal occasion demands a more formal language. Appropriateness of diction is determined by the norms of society.

Formal vs. Informal Writing Formal No contractions No first or second person pronouns UNLESS writing a personal essay (not a literary analysis or research paper) Common terms Latinate vocabulary Informal Contractions okay First and second person okay Slang/ jargon Anglo-Saxon vocabulary

Latinate vs. Anglo- Saxon Vocabulary Latinate vocabulary Usually multisyllabic Roots with prefixes and suffixes Associated with more formal writing Example: Participating in recreational sports facilitates social interaction Anglo-Saxon vocabulary Usually monosyllabic Associated with more informal writing Example: Playing recreational sports helps you make friends.

Discuss Facilitate vs. help (both mean “to make easier” Manufacture vs. make Interrogate vs. ask Maximize/minimize vs. grow/shrink

Denotation vs. Connotation William Smith is the perfect example of a statesman. William Smith is the perfect example of a politician. Mary is very eager to please. Mary works very hard in class. Mary is teacher’s pet.

Imagery Verbal representation of sensory experience Visual imagery (sight) Auditory imagery (sound) Tactile imagery (touch) Gustatory imagery (taste) Olfactory imagery (smell)

Imagery Visual imagery is the most common Writers experiment with variety of images, and intermingle senses (giving smells a color, etc.) Imagery’s success depends on diction and detail Imagery evokes a vivid experience, conveys specific emotion, suggests particular idea

Images as Symbols Imagery itself is not symbolic, but it may be used symbolically Some images have historic symbolic significance Bird in flight = hope River = life Sunset = death

Interpreting Imagery Consider the traditional meaning of an image Consider any departures from the traditional meaning What is the effect of both on meaning Also consider nontraditional imagery

Details Facts, observations, and incidents used to develop a subject and impart voice Specific details create a precise mental picture Bring life and color to a description, focus reader’s attention, bring reader into the scene Shapes reader’s attitude by focusing attention Can also state by understatement: for example, lack of details about pain can prevent descent into sentimentality

Syntax Way words are arranged within sentences Encompasses word order, sentence length, sentence focus, and punctuation

Word Order Usual Subject-verb-object Changing usual word order emphasizes sentence’s message Inverting subject and verb (Am I ever sorry.) Placing complement at the beginning of a sentence (Hungry, without a doubt, he is.) Placing an object in front of the verb (Sara I like– not Susan.)

Sentence Length Changing sentence length allows for emphasis, increases interest. This sentence is five words. Again, we have five words. One more time, five words. This is the same length. We are getting very bored. I wish these sentences changed. But they never, ever do. Notice that no sentence is more important, or more interesting, then any other.

Sentence Length A short sentence following a long sentence emphasizes the meaning and importance of the short sentence. Many modern writers put key ideas in short sentences. (This has not always been the case.)

Syntactic Tension Tension is achieved through the withholding of syntactic closure until the end of the sentence (keeping the main clause until the end) As long as we ignore our children and refuse to dedicate the necessary time and money to their care, we will fail to solve the problem of school violence. Emphasis here is on the problem. We will fail to solve the problem of school violence as long as we ignore our children and refuse to dedicate the necessary time and money to their care. Emphasis here is on the cause.

Repetition Parallelism of words, phrases, or clauses

Punctuation Semicolon gives equal weight to two or more independent clauses in a sentence. Reinforces parallel ideas and imparts equal importance to all clauses. Colon directs readers attention to the words that follow. Can be used between independent clauses if the second summarizes or explains the first. A colon sets the expectation that important words will follow, creating emphasis. Dash marks sudden change in thought or tone, sets off brief summary, or sets of parenthetical part of sentence. Conveys casual tone.

Exit Ticket – DIDLS Reflection 1. Define diction and give an example of formal and informal. 2. Define denotation and connotation and give an example of each. 3. Create a sentence for each of the 5 types of imagery. 4. Create 1 sentence using unusual word order to emphasize syntax.