Author's Diction

Diction, syntax, and tone

by Mr. Atkins

​Diction

​Diction is simply the words the writer chooses to convey a particular meaning.

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When analyzing diction, look for specific words or short phrases that seem stronger than the others

Also, look for a pattern (or similarity) in the words the writer chooses (ex. Do the words imply sadness, happiness, etc?). This pattern helps to create a particular kind of diction.

Multiple Choice

What is diction?

• the attitude, the feeling

• word choice

• different types of sentences and punctuation

• tells your story

​Diction

When you are writing an essay in which you are analyzing the diction of the writer: Avoid saying: “The writer used diction…” – since this is obvious (diction IS the words on the page; without them, the page would be blank).

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​Instead, say: “The writer creates a ______________ diction through the use of…” OR “The language of the text is ___________________.”

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Syntax

​ Syntax refers to the way words are arranged within sentences.

One aspect of syntax is schemes.

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Most English sentences follow a subject-verb-object pattern

Deviating from this pattern can serve to add emphasize to the author’s ideas.

Multiple Choice

What is syntax?

• the attitude, the feeling

• word choice

• different types of sentences and punctuation

• tells your story

Syntax

​ Another aspect of syntax is sentence length. Good writers will use a variety for emphasis.

• Short sentences – imply straightforward

• Long sentences – imply descriptive, detailed

​Tone

​Tone is the writer’s attitude or feeling about the subject of his text.

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It is a special kind of rhetorical strategy because tone is created by the writer’s use of all of the other rhetorical strategies.

• Diction & Tropes

• Syntax & Schemes

• Details & Lack of Details

Multiple Choice

What is tone?

• the attitude, the feeling

• word choice

• different types of sentences and punctuation

• tells your story

​Tone

​When writing your essay, avoid saying: “The writer uses tone” since ALL writers use a tone of some kind. Instead, say: “The writer creates a __________ tone…”

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say: “The writer creates a joyful tone…”

say: “The writer creates a earnest tone…”

Multiple Choice

"A writer's reason for crafting a particular work" is the definition for which term:

• Author's Perspective

• Author's Tone

• Author's Purpose

• Author's Style

Multiple Choice

Diction refers to...

• An author's style

• An author's choice of words and syntax

• An author's tone

• An author's perspective

Multiple Choice

Author's perspective refers to the unique combination of...

• ideas, values and beliefs

• tone, diction, and voice

• tone, purpose, and syntax

• voice, style, and imagery

Multiple Choice

Syntax is...

• An author's word choice

• the author's attitude

• The personality that comes across on the page

• an arrangement of words into sentences

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of Tone?

• persuade

• inform

• entertain

• enthusiastic

Multiple Choice

An object, person, or place that represents something else on a figurative level is called a/an

• allusion

• imagery

• irony

• symbol

Multiple Choice

Language that describes something through a comparison with something different

• literal language

• figurative language

• tone

• syntax

Multiple Choice

A writer or speaker's attitude toward a subject is

• diction

• symbol

• style

• tone

Multiple Choice

When something turns out quite different from what is expected is

• narrator

• irony

• imagery

• conflict

Multiple Choice

A reference to a well-known person or event is called a/an

• plot

• allusion

• inference

• theme

Multiple Choice

In the plot of a story, the beginning part when the characters and setting are introduced is called the

• exposition

• inciting incident

• rising action

• resolution

Multiple Choice

A general statement about life that we learn from reading a story is

• diction

• syntax

• tone

• theme

Multiple Choice

The author's sentence structure is also called

• tone

• diction

• syntax

• point of view

Multiple Select

Tone is developed through

• Diction (word choice)

• Syntax (grammar and punctuation)

• Imagery (strong sensory details)

• Setting (Environment where the character is set)

Multiple Choice

Choice of words or phrases in writing

• Setting

• Syntax

• Diction

• Imagery

Multiple Choice

Rules for grammar and the way words are formed into sentences

• Syntax

• Diction

• Imagery

• Setting

Multiple Choice

Decide what the tone of the following sentence is:

The apple cider spilled to the kitchen floor, leaving a thick, sticky mess.

• Postive

• Negative.

Multiple Choice

Decide what the tone of the following sentence is:

The character can be seen riding a bike under the bright summer sun.

• Positive

• Negative

Multiple Choice

Decide what the tone of the following sentence is:

Eat your breakfast before I throw it away!

• Positive

• Negative

Multiple Choice

Which tone word below best describes the following sentence?

"Don't worry about a thing...because every little thing is going to be alright..."

• Optimistic

• Pessimistic

• Irritated

• Tired

Multiple Choice

Which tone word below best describes the following sentence?

In early spring, the flowers will persevere through the icy winter soil.

• Manipulative

• Friendly

• Encouraging

• Surprised

Multiple Choice

Decide what the tone of the following sentence is:

Trella hates popcorn. It reminds her of scary horror films.

• Negative

• Positive