Diction

Diction

Prepared by: Ms. Ellainne Mae Joy S. Jumalon

Objectives

• Familiarize oneself with the diction and its characteristics;

• Demonstrate understanding about the characteristics of diction through analyzing and relating one’s own experiences with the local poems;

• Demonstrate understanding about the characteristics of diction through analyzing and relating one’s own experiences with the local poems;

Open Ended

Read the following letter then analyze its style, the language or diction used and the level of formality.

“Excuse Letter ng Mother ni Bekimon”

Dear Teacheret,

Kamustasa kalabasa? Keri ka lang ba? Bet kong italak sayez na witit makakajosok sa skulembang si junakis ngayonchi.

Rarampage si atashi now at bet kong kajoin force si bebemon.Ispluk ni junakis na may periodical examinelya silachina. Sana ay givlakan mo itey ng bonggang bonggang espesyalinda examinelya.

Trulibels,

Mudrakels

Diction

can be defined as style of speaking or writing determined by the choice of words   by a speaker or a writer. 

Diction

Diction or choice of words separates good writing from bad writing. It depends on a number of factors.

• Firstly, the word has to be right and accurate

• Secondly, words should be appropriate to the context in which they are used. 

• the choice of words should be such that the listener or readers understand easily.

Types of Diction

Formal

where formal words are used in formal situations e.g. press conferences, presentations etc

Informal

diction in informal situations like writing or talking to our friends

Colloquial

diction uses words common in everyday speech

Slang

is the use of words that are impolite or newly coined.

Diction Examples in Literature

Keats in his “Ode to the Grecian Urn” uses formal diction to achieve a certain effect. He goes:

“Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard

Are sweeter: therefore, ye soft pipes, play on”

“Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shed

Your leaves, nor ever bid the spring adieu.”

Diction Examples in Literature

“Busy old fool, unruly Sun,

Why dost thou thus,

Through windows, and through curtains, call on us?

Must to thy motions lovers’ seasons run?

Saucy pedantic wretch,”

Diction Examples in Literature

“And the trees all died. They were orange trees. I don’t know why they died, they just died. Something wrong with the soil possibly or maybe the stuff we got from the nursery wasn’t the best. We complained about it. So we’ve got thirty kids there, each kid had his or her own little tree to plant and we’ve got these thirty dead trees. All these kids looking at these little brown sticks, it was depressing.”

Diction Examples in Literature

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

Function of Diction

In literature, writers choose words to create and convey a typical mood, tone and atmosphere to their readers. 

Function of Diction

A writer’s choice of words and his selection of graphic words not only affects the reader’s attitude but also conveys the writer’s feelings toward the literary work.

Open Ended

Think of a word and write the words in formal, informal, and slang diction.

Thank You