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This guide delves into the concept of diction in literature, emphasizing how authors select words to elicit certain effects and meanings for their readers. It categorizes diction into three types: High Diction, characterized by an elevated tone and elegant word choices; Neutral Diction, which employs standard language without embellishment; and Low or Informal Diction, resembling everyday speech with idioms and slang. Also, we explore related concepts such as tone, point of view, author’s purpose, and irony, providing examples from well-known texts like "The Scarlet Letter" and "The Old Man and the Sea."
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Literary Terms Pre-AP/GT 1st 6 Weeks
Diction- words chosen by author to convey effect and meaning to the reader High Diction-elevated tone, no slang, idioms, or contractions. Elegant word choice Ex. “Discerning the impracticable state of the poor culprit’s mind, the elder clergyman addressed to the multitude a discourse on sin, in all its branches, but with continual reference to the ignominious letter.” The Scarlet Letter
Neutral Diction- standard language without elaborate words, may have contractions. Ex. “The shark swung over and the old man saw his eye was not alive and then he swung over once again, wrapping himself in two loops of the rope.” The Old Man and the Sea Low or Informal Diction-language of everyday use, relaxed, includes idioms, slang, jargon, and contractions Ex. Three quarts of milk. Now they ain’t none. Not a drop. What the devil does anybody need with three quarts of milk?
Types of Diction Slang-recently coined words that come and go quickly “Epic Fail!” “Radical Dude!” Colloquialisms- regional ways of using language…southerners say “Ya’ll” and northerners say “You guys” Idioms- expressions that mean something different than the meaning of the individual words Burning the midnight oil=staying up late
Tone- the attitude a writer takes toward a subject. It might be humorous, serious, bitter, angry, or detached among other possibilities. Point of View (POV)- First Person- “I” Third Person- Narrator that is not a participant in the action “He, she, it, they etc….” Third Person Omniscient-narrator is all knowing about thoughts and feelings of characters Third Person Limited-writer presents events as experienced by only one character Author’s Purpose- purpose for writing: express thoughts or feelings, inform, persuade, entertain
Irony- literary techniques that involve surprising or interesting contradictions Verbal Irony- speaker or narrator says one thing while meaning the opposite “It is easy to quit smoking. I’ve done it many times.” Situational Irony- situation turns out differently than one would expect. A deep sea diver drowns in the bathtub. Dramatic Irony- the reader or audience knows something a character does not know. Romeo does not realize Juliet is sleeping and kills himself.
Simile- comparison of two unlike things using the words “like” or “as” The rugby ball was like a giant egg. Metaphor-comparison of two unlike things without using the words “like” or “as” You are the wind beneath my wings.
