Diction

The author’s choice of words

Meaning

Words have two ways to communicate meaning:

Denotation the literal meaning of the word

Connotation an association (emotional or otherwise) which

the word evokes

Denotation

This is the strict definition or definitions that can be found in the dictionary.

Words are chosen for their denotative meaning to express ideas clearly and specifically.

Connotation

Words can have a positive, negative, or neutral connotation.

The connotation of a word can vary by culture, region and time period. For example, both "woman" and "broad" have the

denotation "adult female" in North American society, but "broad" has somewhat negative connotations, while "woman" is neutral.

Consider

positive There are over 2,000 homeless in the city.

neutral There are over 2,000 people with no fixed

address in the city. negative

There are over 2,000 vagrants in the city.

Slang

Highly informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's dialect or language. Varies based on culture, region, or time period.

What slang terms do you use?

Consider

Dude Cool Sucks Sweet omg jk! u ok? <3 u! c u l8r! kthxbi!

Rhetorical Impact

Correct use of slang can help the author identify with the audience by showing that he is knowledgeable about the audience’s culture.

However, as informal diction, it may make the author seem like he is not taking the subject seriously.

Syntax

The way words are arranged

Syntax is the way words and clauses are arranged to form sentences.

That arrangement contributes to and enhances meaning and effect.

Definition

Or more simply:

It’s how authors put words and phrases together.

Syntax helps authors effectively make their points.

In other words…

Tone

The author’s attitude towards the subject

Definition

Tone is the author’s attitude towards the subject.

For example:

“There’s This that I like About Hockey,

My Lad” by John Kieran (continued)

There’s this that I like about hockey, old chap;

I think you’ll agree that I’m right;Although you may get an occasional rap,

There’s always good fun in the fight.So toss in the puck, for the players are set;Sing ho! For the dash on the enemy net;And ho! For the smash as a challenge is met;

And hey! For a glorious night!

There’s this that I like about hockey

old chap

good fun

enemy net

glorious nightAuthor’s Attitude towards Hockey

Author is speaking to

Tone is the attitude writers take towards their subject .

Would this poem have a different meaning for the

reader if the tone was changed?

Tone

Figurative Language

Describing something through comparisons

What is figurative language?

Whenever you describe something by comparing it with something else, you are using figurative language.

Types of Figurative Language

Imagery Simile Metaphor Alliteration Personification Onomatopoeia Hyperbole Idioms

Imagery Language that appeals to the

senses. Descriptions of people or objects stated in terms of our senses.

• Sight • Hearing • Touch • Taste • Smell

Simile

A figure of speech which involves a direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words like or as. Example: The muscles on his brawny

arms are strong as iron bands.

Metaphor

A figure of speech which involves an implied comparison between two relatively unlike things using a form of be. The comparison is not announced by like or as. Example: The road was a ribbon wrapped

through the dessert.

Alliteration

Repeated consonant sounds occurring at the beginning of words or within words. Example: She was wide-eyed and

wondering while she waited for Walter to waken.

Personification

A figure of speech which gives the qualities of a person to an animal, an object, or an idea. Example: “The wind yells while

blowing."

The wind cannot yell. Only a living thing can yell.

Onomatopoeia

The use of words that mimic sounds. Example: The firecracker made a

loud ka-boom!

Hyperbole

An exaggerated statement used to heighten effect. It is not used to mislead the reader, but to emphasize a point. Example: She’s said yes on several

million occasions.

Idioms An idiom or idiomatic expression refers to

a construction or expression in one language that cannot be matched or directly translated word-for-word in another language. Example: "She has a bee in her bonnet," meaning "she is obsessed," cannot be literally translated into another language word for word.