Diction
Word Choice
Formal Language Characterized by a serious
tone, a careful attention to word choice, longer sentences, and a strict adherence to traditional conventions.
Hello, Mr. Henry. May I please have a moment of your time?
Informal Language Characterized by a personal
tone, the occasional use of popular expressions, shorter sentences, the use of contractions and personal references (I, he, you), and an adherence to basic conventions.
Hi, Mr. Henry. Can I talk to you for a few minutes?
Colloquial Language
Casual or conversational language
~I flunked the test vs. I failed the test.
Hey man. Can we chat for sec?
Denotation
The exact, literal meaning of a word.
~ A dictionary definition.
Connotation
Ideas implied by a word.~
Involve associations and emotional overtones that go beyond a word’s definition.
Divide the following words among three headings:
Positive, Negative, Neutral
1. harmony, sound, racket, shriek, melody, music, noise, pitch, voice
2. talkative, articulate, chattering, eloquent, vocal, verbose, gossipy, fluent, gabby
General and Specific
General Words- refer to a group or a class
~For example: car, or tree.
Specific words- refer to members of that class
~For example: Honda,
Buick, Ford, Oak, Elm , Dogwood.
Slang A kind of colloquial language,
it is coined words and new meanings for existing words.
Quickly pass in and out of use. Not appropriate for most
academic writing.
Jargon
Specialized vocabulary of a particular group
Exists in every field Reserve jargon for
specialist audience.
Regional Language
Language specific to a geographical area.
http://tastyresearch.wordpress.com/2006/10/05/pop-vs-soda-vs-coke/
Examples:
Abstract and Concrete Abstract words
Denotes qualities (kind),concepts (speed), Relationships (friends), acts (cooking), conditions (bad weather) and ideas (transportation)
Concrete wordsIdentify what can be
perceived by the senses, by being seen, heard, tasted, felt, smelled (black, padded, leather dashboard)Carry specific Images and
details.
TONE- Attitude toward the subject and audience implied in a literary
work
Tone towards the subject
Pervasive quality that characterizes the whole composition
Many other elements, working together, can lead to the perception of an author’s tone
Organization, Diction, Syntax, etc. Requires the reader to “read
between the lines”
Tone towards the subject Bitter Sardonic Sarcastic Ironic Mocking Scornful Satiric Vituperative
Scathing Confidential Factual Informal Facetious Critical Resigned Astonished
Tone towards the subject Objective Naive Joyous Spiritual Wistful Nostalgic Humorous Mock-serious
Pedantic Didactic Inspiring Remorseful Disdainful Laudatory Mystified
Tone towards the subject Idyllic Compassionate Reverent Lugubrious Elegiac Gothic Macabre Reflective
Maudlin Sentimental Patriotic Jingoistic Detached Angry Sad
Tone towards the audience
Talking down to the reader as an advisor
Talking down to the reader as a satirist
Talking eye-to-eye with the reader as an equal
Talking up to the reader as a suppliant or subordinate
Tone towards the audience (cont.)
Formal Diction and syntax that are
academic, serious, and authoritative
Informal More conversational and
engages the reader on an equal basis
Loose/cumulative sentence
The most common sentence structure in English
Information accumulates in the sentence until it reaches a period
Structure starts with a SUBJECT and VERB and continues with
modifiers
EXAMPLE
A car hit a shoulder and turned over at midnight last night on the road from Las Vegas to Death
Valley Junction.
Periodic/Climactic Sentence
Reserves the main idea for the end of the sentence
Tends to draw in the reader as it moves toward the period
If overused, however, periodic sentences lose their punch.
EXAMPLE
At midnight last night, on the road from Las Vegas to Death Valley Junction, a car hit a shoulder and turned over.
EXAMPLE 2
“Drowsy, clumsy, unable to fix a bicycle tire, throw a baseball, balance a grocery sack, or walk across the room, he was stripped of his true self by drink.”
from Under the Influenceby Scott Russell Sanders
EXAMPLE 3
“Over this rocky area relieved by a few shady tall persimmon trees the graduating class walked.”
from Graduationby Maya Angelou
Parallel Sentence Occurs when you write words, phrases, or
clauses within a sentence to match in their grammatical forms.
Several advantages Express ideas of equal weight in your writing Emphasize important information or ideas Add rhythm and grace to your writing style
EXAMPLE
“Left alone, our father prowls the house, thumping into furniture, rummaging in the kitchen, slamming doors, turning the pages of the newspaper with a savage crackle, muttering back at the late-night drivel from television.”
from Under the Influenceby Scott Russell Sanders
Balanced Sentence Type of parallelism in which contrasting
content is delivered. The two parallel structures are usually ,
but not always independent clauses. A balanced sentence uses coordination. The two coordinate structures are
characterized by opposites in meaning, sometimes with one structure cast in the negative.
Mosquitoes don’t bite; they stab.
By night, the litter and desperation disappeared as the city’s glittering lights came on; by day, the filth and despair reappeared as the sun rose.
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLES (cont.)
“Poetry is seldom useful, but always memorable.”
from The Town Dumpby Wallace
Stegner
Writing Tips Write assignments for a wider
audience than simply your teacher. (Even if your teacher is the only person to read them.)
“Amongst” is the same as “among.” One comes across as pretentious, the other does not.
If you use “not only,” you must use “but also.”
Writing Tips (continued)
Learn how to punctuate the word “however.” I like you; however, I think we should
just be friends. I am, however, willing to consider
romance in the future. However you cut it, we belong
together.
Writing Tips (continued)
If you need to use the word “very” or “really,” there is definitely a more appropriate and specific word that will work better.
Experiment with the dash – a fancy comma.
Make sure repetition is purposeful.
Writing Tips (continued)
Learn the rules for possession. John’s car My parents’ car
What to avoid
Passive Voice Linking verbs
The following verbs are true linking verbs: any form of the verb be [am, is, are, was, were ,can, could, do, did, has, have, had, having , has been, are being, might have been, etc.], become, and seem,,
Short sentences unless done for effect