Diction
Diction encompasses the selection of words and the manner of expression used by a writer or speaker, playing a crucial role in communication. It has two primary meanings: one relates to the choice of words and their effects on clarity, formality, tone, and mood, while the other pertains to the vocal delivery of those words, including pronunciation and enunciation. Diction can be categorized into formal and informal styles; formal diction adheres to the rules of Standard English and is typically used in professional or academic contexts, whereas informal diction incorporates colloquialisms and slang, common in casual conversations among friends and family.
In literature, writers often employ informal diction in character dialogue to convey unique personalities and social backgrounds, influencing readers' perceptions of characters. Additionally, diction involves understanding the difference between denotation (the literal meaning of words) and connotation (the emotional or implied meanings), which can significantly shape the tone and mood of a piece. Furthermore, the way words are pronounced and articulated can enhance the authenticity of characters in fiction, revealing regional dialects and cultural nuances. Overall, diction is a vital component that enriches both written and spoken language, affecting how messages are conveyed and received.
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Subject Terms
Diction
Diction has two distinct but related meanings. Diction refers to the words a writer or speaker chooses to convey thoughts. Writers and speakers strive to choose words that are clear and precise. These choices can affect formality, tone, and mood. Diction also refers to the vocal expression of words. It includes pronunciation (how a person pronounces words) and enunciation (the clearness with which a person speaks).
Overview
Diction generally describes a writer or speaker's distinct word choices and style of expression. The two most basic forms of diction are formal and informal. In the English language, formal diction follows the rules of Standard English. Informal language strays from these rules and may include elements such as colloquialisms and slang. Formal language is generally used in professional and academic settings. A simple example of formal language is the greeting of a business letter ("Dear Ms. Prescott…"). Informal language is common among families and friends. An example is the greeting of a friendly letter or postcard ("Hey Jules…"). In fiction, authors often use informal language in dialogue to create distinct voices for each character. Word choices in dialogue can help readers identify characters' traits, such as education level or social status. For example, young Scout Finch in Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird speaks less formally than her attorney father, Atticus:
- Scout: "I didn't know no better than not to read to her…"
- Atticus: "In your case the law remains rigid. So to school you must go."
Another aspect of diction is denotation and connotation. Denotation is a word's dictionary definition. Connotation is a word's implied meaning. Words with the same denotation can have different connotations, or feelings, associated with them. For example, plump has a more positive connotation than fat. Affluent is more formal than well-to-do or loaded. Connotation can affect the tone and mood of a written work or speech. Tone is the author or speaker's attitude toward his or her subject. For example, an author who describes a statue as big seems indifferent; an author who describes it as mammoth or colossal seems impressed. Mood is the feeling that a written work or speech generates in readers or listeners. It is the atmosphere that the author or speaker's words create. For example, the sentence "I looked at the old, run-down house" does not generate much feeling. The sentence "I studied the rotting remains of the abandoned house" packs a bigger emotional punch. Both sentences have the same meaning, but the word choices in the second sentence create a more sinister and mysterious atmosphere.
In addition to word choice, diction can refer to the vocal expression of words. The way a person pronounces words and the clarity with which he or she speaks affects diction. In everyday speech, people often mispronounce words or blend words together. For example, they may say, "I'm gonna go" or "We're leavin' tomorrow" instead of "I am going to go" or "We are leaving tomorrow." Fiction writers often imbue characters or narrators with a particular dialect, or a regional manner of speaking, to make their diction more authentic. A character from New England, for example, might hunger for a "grinder" rather than a "hero" or "hoagie." A Northerner might say "You guys," whereas a Southerner might say "Y'all." These word choices are all part of diction.
Bibliography
"Dialect." Literary Devices, literarydevices.net/dialect/. Accessed 19 Sept. 2017.
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. 1960. Warner Books, 1982.
Manda, Gilbert. "What Are the Purposes of Diction?" The Pen & the Pad, penandthepad.com/purposes-diction-8592496.html. Accessed 19 Sept. 2017.
Sebranek, Patrick, et al. Writers INC. Great Source Education Group, 2006, pp. 22–26, 254.
"Style/Diction." Encyclopedia of Identity, edited by Ronald L. Jackson, vol. 2, SAGE Reference, 2010, pp. 797–800.
"Style, Diction, Tone, and Voice." Wheaton College Writing Center, 2009, www.wheaton.edu/academics/services/writing-center/writing-resources/style-diction-tone-and-voice/. Accessed 19 Sept. 2017.
"Tone." Literary Devices, literarydevices.net/tone/. Accessed 19 Sept. 2017.
"Voice and Diction." The SAGE Glossary of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, edited by Larry E. Sullivan, SAGE Reference, 2009, p. 537.