Download Diction

DICTION
Presented by Ayo Opeyemi, Taylore Roth,
Andrew McFarland, and Lexi Harman
Lesson Objectives
By the end of the presentation students will be able to...
 Discern between the associated emotional overtones of
words and their literal definition: connotation and
denotation
 Evaluate when to use informal and formal language
 Write and speak using clear and concise language
Aspects of Diction
Diction is defined as the author’s choice of words.
"Diction will be effective only when the words you choose
are appropriate for the audience and purpose, when they
convey your message accurately and comfortably.” ~(Martha Kolln,
Rhetorical Grammar. Allyn and Bacon, 1999)
It is important to note that there is not a definitively correct
diction in the English language. However, it is important to be
cognizant of how different words and phrases match with
certain contexts.
Connotation
The associated or secondary meaning of a
word or expression in addition to its explicit or
primary meaning.
 The prevailing emotions associated with a word
 COLORED WORDS
 Examples
 Mother, home, liberty, fireside, contentment, patriot,
tenderness.
 Odor, mother-in-law, slums, sauntered, communist,
blistering, scorching.
Denotation
The explicit or direct meaning or set of
meanings of a word.
 This means that the emotional overtone of the
word or expression is removed.
 Example:
 The denotation of the word buttress is an external
support.
Informal vs. Formal
Specific expressions entail a tone of
formality that may give the reader a certain
pretense concerning the speaker or subject.
Some words make people think your tone is
pretty chill and informal…yo.
This greatly affects ethos.
Specific vs. Vague
The speaker may want the audience to know only a certain
amount about a subject so may choose to use vague phrases.
If a speaker wishes to expound in great detail he or she will use
words that are specific and precise.
 Vague Examples:
 While walking in the woods, I saw an animal.
 Someone decided to run for Congress.
 Specific Examples:
 While walking in the woods, I saw a baby skunk.
 Rebecca decided to run for Congress.
Concise Language
Concise writing says what it has to say in a few words as possible. Too
often, writers use words and phrases that add nothing to a sentence’s
meaning.
Example:
It is clear that the United States was not ready to fight World War II.
The United States was not ready to fight World War II.
Practice Activity
Q and A
Sources
 http://grammar.about.com/od/d/g/disctionterm.htm
 http://www.writingcentre.uottawa.ca/hypergrammar/di
ction.html
 Textbook: The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing,
Rhetoric