Diction
Say What You Mean and
Mean What You Say
Diction
 = word choice
 Creates the writer’s voice
 Creates the tone of a text
Diction

Levels of language:

Formal- (proper)


Language characterized by a learned
vocabulary and grammatically correct forms;
does not usually include slang
Informal- (casual)

Language closest to everyday conversation;
may include slang
Denotation and Connotation

Denotation
What a word means (dictionary definition)
 What a word signifies without emotional
associations, judgements, or opinions


Connotation
Emotions behind a word
 Usually determined through context

Tone
The speaker’s attitude or emotion toward
the subject matter or audience, as revealed
by the choice of language.
 Examples- sarcastic, matter-of-fact, cold,
energetic, academic, humorous, etc.

Syntax


The order of the words; the text’s structure
Sentences can be long or short, written in the active
voice or passive voice.
Syntax

A good way to look at syntax is to see
how a paragraph is punctuated.
If a paragraph has a lot of short sentences,
it is slower to read and choppy.
 EX: I hate people who lie. My brother lies.
It makes me so mad. I can hardly think.
It makes me so, so angry.

Syntax

If a sentence is really long, and has lots
of clauses in it, it is faster to read.

While I need to go to the grocery store, I
actually want to go to the park, and then I
want to go to the zoo.
Syntax

How does the change of syntax affect
the tone of the story?

EX: After we go to the park, I am ready to
go to the zoo, and I really want to see the
tigers. My mom warned my three year old
brother, “ Do NOT go by the monkeys.
They are mean!”