Literary TermsCommon Mistakes in the

Double-Entry Journals

DictionIncorrect: “The author uses diction.”

Incorrect: “The author uses good diction.”

Diction is the author’s word choice. In order to analyze diction, you must discuss specific words you think were carefully chosen.

Strong analysis will discuss the “Task/Purpose” of the words that were selected. Why did the author select the word? How does it contribute to the overall meaning?

Diction This helps to improve diction, organize what they want to say and

focus on the main points of interest.

Poetic diction describes the range of language used in poems.

The decision to use an archaic diction might thus be thought a central part of spenser's particularly protestant poetics.

The decision to use an archaic diction might thus be thought a central part of spenser's particularly protestant poetics.

The choir had very good diction, which enabled the audience to hear nancy bush's words clearly.

Clear diction, not a ' posh voice ' , was what was wanted.

Diction employed by the author seems to exaggerate and stretch the truth.

His perfect diction never failed to be commented on.

Diction found in the sestet, could be used throughout, imvho.

Bridget's excellent diction was just loud enough to create an ambient echo which rather suited her careful english tones.

Diction“Like Harlequin rats” (Bradbury 89).

The word harlequin is rarely used any more, and I was a little shocked to to see it. I remember when I was in elementary school, my group of friends started using this word.

Why did the author use the word harlequin?

Diction“The flutter of cards, motion of hands, of eyelids, the drone of the time-voice in the firehouse ceiling” (Bradbury 32).

The word “drone” sounds very robotic. It’s almost as if Montag is discovering how robotic his world is and how he used to be. Clarisse has caused this self realization.

Diction“Montag saw the flirt of a great metal fist over the far city, and he knew the scream of the jets that would follow, would say, after the deed, disintegrate, leave no stone on another, perish. Die” (Bradbury 158).

Instead of using words such as passed away, Bradbury uses harsher words such as “disintegrate” and “perish” to illustrate the anger Montag is feeling.

SymbolIncorrect: “The situation is symbolic…”

Symbol – objects used to represent other things and ideas

You must identify an actual object discussed in the passage, but you must also discuss the abstract idea it represents.

Symbol“Beatty never drove, but he was driving tonight, slamming the Salamander around corners, leaning forward high on the driver’s throne” (Bradbury 109).

The Salamander is referring to the fire truck and means more than it seems.

What does the Salamander symbolize?

Symbol“The queen in her silken cocoon had no words to give back; but when he closed his eyes and tried to remember, instead of a memory came new images” (Card 320).

What does the bugger queen cocoon symbolize in the novel?

Symbol“Janie saw her life like a great tree in leaf with the things suffered, things enjoyed, things done and undone. Dawn and doom was in the branches” (Hurston 8).

The author uses the symbol of the pear tree to represent Janie’s life. She has suffered pain and loss, enjoyed love and marriage, and has learned from her mistakes.

Symbol“Waves were reaching up, and their white foam caught by the wind, was being whipped against the side of the ship. But I’d seen that on other days and the ship hadn’t sunk. A cargo ship is a huge and stable structure” (Martel 127-128).

The ship symbolizes stability and comfort, a regular life. The sea is the opposite; it screams, “unknown.” It is wild, unpredictable, and dangerous.

Figurative LanguageIncorrect: “The author uses figurative language to create a

picture in the reader’s head.”

Literal language – words are used as their denotation (dictionary definition) would suggest.

Figurative language – words are used for their connotation (layers of meaning) and alter or exaggerate the usual meaning of the word.

“The ground is thirsty” – ground is literal, but thirsty is figurative. The author is actually talking about the “ground” but the author means the ground is dry.

Similes, Metaphors, Personification, Hyperbole, Figures of Speech, Allusions, Paradox, Oxymoron, are all considered figurative language.

Figurative Language“But then usually a new commander has had a few defeats under his belt before he first makes it in here. I only got in here a month ago. If anybody deserves a cheer, it is you. That’s life, make them eat dust” (Card 184).

The phrases “defeats under his belt” and “make them eat dust” are figures of speech. What effect do they have on the passage?

Figurative Language“To survive with a tiger was like trying to survive twenty-seven gunshots, impossible” (Martel 155).

The figurative language is the “twenty-seven gunshots.” Martel is using the simile to compare his chances of surviving Richard Parker to surviving a gunshot.

Figurative Language“The good writers touch life often. The mediocre ones run a quick hand over her. The bad ones rape her and leave her for the flies” (Bradbury 83).

The verbs used, “touch,” “run,” “rape,” are figurative expressions. Perhaps, Bradbury is suggesting that good writers have many meaningful life experiences, mediocre writers have some experiences, and bad writers fail to interpret meaning from their life experiences.

Figurative Language“Then she starched and ironed her face, forming it into what people wanted to see” (Hurston 87).

The author says Janie “starched” and “ironed” her face, but she didn’t really do that. It compares her ironing her face to having to get ready to be someone she is not. She was just showing them what they wanted to see.

Imagery & AllusionMost students can identify imagery or allusion; however, most students fail to discuss the Task/Purpose of the literary technique.

Why did the author use imagery? How does is contribute to the overall meaning of the passage?

Why did the author choose to include an allusion? How does it enhance the meaning of the passage?

Tone vs. MoodTONE and MOOD are two different concepts in

literature.

• TONE describes the author’s attitude toward his/her subject.

The attitude may be stated in so many words or implied. Diction is a key to tone.

MOOD is the situation's atmosphere or characters' feelings:

Toneaffectionate aggravated aloof amused angry

apathetic appreciative approving arrogant bittercalm celebratory condescending contemplative critical

cynical dark dejected depressed desperatedespondent didactic disappointed disapproving disgusted

disinterested distant droll earnest ecstaticemphatic encouraging enthusiastic excited facetiousformal happy haughty hurt informalintense ironic joyful lackadaisical languidlight-hearted melancholy melodramatic nervous neutral

nonchalant optimistic paranoid passive patronizingpessimistic plaintive playful pleading proudromantic sad sarcastic scornful serioussincere somber soothing superficial suspicioussympathetic uninterested whimsical wistful wry

MoodMOOD is the situation's atmosphere or characters' feelings:

Calm Cheerful Chilling Comical Dark

Depressing Dismal Eerie Fanciful Foreboding

Gloomy Grim Grotesque Heart-breaking Heartrending

Holy Hopeful Horrific Intense Joyful

Light Lighthearted Melancholic Morbid Mournful

Mysterious Ominous Optimistic Pessimistic Powerful

Romantic Sad Sinister Soothing Sorrowful

Spiritual Spooky Terrifying Threatening Tranquil

Whimsical        

Tone/MoodThe biggest mistake students make is not using appropriate words to describe Tone and Mood.

Once you identify an accurate word to describe the tone/mood, you must discuss the choices the author made to establish this tone/mood.

What effect does it have on the passage and overall meaning?

Tone (author’s attitude) OR Mood (atmosphere or character’s

feelings)?

affectionate

dark

grim

mysterious

hopeful

sarcastic

sorrowful

eerie

enthusiastic

joyful

threatening

suspicious

desperate

morbid

optimistic

calm

romantic

soothing

Tone OR Mood?affectionate

dark

grim

mysterious

hopeful

sarcastic

sorrowful

eerie

enthusiastic

joyful

threatening

suspicious

desperate

morbid

optimistic

calm

romantic

soothing

ThemeRemember “Big Ideas” are topics for theme, but they are not thematic statements. When discussing theme, you should always be making a comment about what the author was revealing about life or the human condition.

Survival = Big Idea

Never give up = Cliché

Survival requires mental stamina, prudence, and perseverance = Thematic Statement