1. Diction & Tone

2. 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.

3. 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?
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?

4. What are some of the conclusions we can draw from these answers?
concrete
abstract
monosyllabic words
polysyllabic words
formal
change in type of diction

5. Denotation means the literal, dictionary definition of the word Connotation means the implied or suggested meaning attached to a word, or the underlying feelings that goes along with the word. example: All of these words can mean overweight: corpulent, plump, obese, heavy set, fat, paunchy, overweight, roly poly, bulky, portly, pudgy Which word do we use to insult someone? Which one is a euphemism? Which one do we use to describe a cute little baby?

6. Diction contributes to the tone
Diction contributes to the tone. When discussing tone, consider such questions as:
What seems to be the speaker’s attitude in the passage?
Which specific words or phrases seem to be stronger than the rest?
Does the passage have a noticeable emotional mood or atmosphere?
Is there a pattern in the words the writer chooses?
Does the writer repeat certain words?

7. ALWAYS use adjectives when describing diction and tone
ALWAYS use adjectives when describing diction and tone. Write something like: The author’s ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone.

8. Now --- let’s try it

9. 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?

10. 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?

11. 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.

12. She huddled in the corner, clutching her tattered blanket and shaking convulsively, as she feverishly searched the room for the unknown dangers that awaited her. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone.

13. She huddled in the corner, clutching her tattered blanket and shaking convulsively, as she feverishly searched the room for the unknown dangers that awaited her. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone. Frightening diction contributes to the alarming tone.

14. She lay on the couch in a white evening dress, whispering softly in the ear of her fiancé, running her fingers through his hair and gently nibbling his earlobe. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone.

15. She lay on the couch in a white evening dress, whispering softly in the ear of her fiancé, running her fingers through his hair and gently nibbling his earlobe. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone. Suggestive diction contributes to the seductive tone.

16. Harvard accepted her, allowing this child the opportunity to study in the same halls as the many famous scholars before her, giving her the chance to excel in her field in the best college in the United States. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone.

17. Harvard accepted her, allowing this child the opportunity to study in the same halls as the many famous scholars before her, giving her the chance to excel in her field in the best college in the United States. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone. Lofty diction contributes to the elevated tone.

18. Bursting through the door, the flustered mother hollered uncontrollably at the innocent teacher who gave her child an F. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone.

19. Bursting through the door, the flustered mother hollered uncontrollably at the innocent teacher who gave her child an F. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone. Fierce diction contributes to the antagonistic tone.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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. Frantic diction contributes to the threatened tone.

24. Gently smiling, her mother tenderly tucked the covers up around the child’s neck, and carefully, quietly, left the room, making sure to leave a comforting ray of light shining through the opened door should the child awake. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone.

25. Gently smiling, her mother tenderly tucked the covers up around the child’s neck, and carefully, quietly, left the room, making sure to leave a comforting ray of light shining through the opened door should the child awake. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone. Loving diction contributes to the serene tone.

26. The laughing wind skipped through the village, teasing the trees until they danced with anger and cajoling the grass into fighting itself, blade slapping blade, as the silly dog with golfball eyes and flopping, tongue bounded across the lawn. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone.

27. The laughing wind skipped through the village, teasing the trees until they danced with anger and cajoling the grass into fighting itself, blade slapping blade, as the silly dog with golfball eyes and flopping, tongue bounded across the lawn. ____ diction contributes to the ____ tone. Humorous diction contributes to the happy-go-lucky tone.

28. Remember……………………… What kind of words are there
Remember……………………… What kind of words are there? And how do they make you feel?

29. abhorrent. abrupt. accusing. accusatory. admonitory bantering. bitter
abhorrent abrupt accusing accusatory admonitory bantering bitter boring brash bucolic calm cautious childish coarse cold colloquial concerned despairing desperate disdainful disgusted ecstatic effusive elated elegiac eloquent embittered erudite exuberant foreboding gloomy harsh haughty hopeful humble indignant inflammatory irreverent irritated ironic joking joyful light loving miserable melancholic nervous nostalgic optimistic outraged paranoid passionate patronizing pedantic peaceful pessimistic pitiful pleasant playful proud pompous pretentious questioning reflective reminiscent resigned romantic sad sanctimonious sarcastic sardonic scornful sentimental serene serious sharp shocked silly solemn somber soothing snobbish snooty sympathetic taunting turgid vexed vibrant whimsical angry anxious appreciative apologetic arrogant audacious condemning dark condescending contemptuous dreamy mocking moralistic mournful persuasive piquant cynical compassionate confidant

30. The more words you know to describe passages, the more sophisticated your descriptions will be when you analyze authors’ writing!

31. Never, never, never, never, never say: “The author uses diction
Never, never, never, never, never say: “The author uses diction.” That is like saying, “The author chooses words.” Always write something like: “The author uses ______ diction in order to _____________________________.

32. And don’t forget:
You must always, always, always connect the author’s diction and/or tone back to his/her purpose!!!!

33. Examples from your own writing!
Reagan adopts a somber tone in order to console the pain of his emotionally shocked Americans.
Reagan closes his speech with a reverential, inspiring tone in order to celebrate the astronaut’s lives.
Reagan repeats the word “we” to show that he is one with all Americans in suffering.

34. While speaking to the school children, he simplifies his language to try to explain why this tragedy happened.
His assertive words create a direct tone that diminishes the Soviet Union’s cover ups and makes it clear that the US will recover its dominance in the space program.
Reagan then transitions into an uplifting tone to remind us to cherish their lives rather than just mourn them.