Syntax and Diction

Diction is...

• Using figurative language and details to set the tone

• Using sentence structure and punctuation to set the tone

• Using specific words to set the tone

• Using a dictionary to look up a word

A writer's careful selection of words

• Tone

• Diction

• Syntax

• Voice

The manner in which a writer puts a sentence together

• Tone

• Diction

• Connotation

• Syntax

Identify the DICTION in the following sentence:

My brother argued with me and slammed the door.

• positive

• negative

INVERTED SYNTAX means that ---

• nothing in the sentence is right side up

• the predicate is before the subject

• the subject is not given

BALANCED SYNTAX is when the phrases ---

• do not contain nouns

• are at the end of the sentence

• have similar structure and length

^{What part of the sentence is emphasized by its syntax?}

"Both his parents had been killed when he was eight years old."

• ...he was eight years old

• Both his parents had been killed...

^{What part of the sentence is emphasized by its SYNTAX?}

" I listen as my neighbor's voice trails off."

• I listen...

• ...as my neighbor...

• ...voice trails off

I appreciated her efforts and complimented her work.

• positive

• negative

LOOSE SYNTAX states the main idea ---

• at the end of sentence

• in the middle of a paragraph

• at the beginning of a sentence