Diction Terms

Diction

word choice; general character of the language used by the author

Levels of Diction

sound, appearance, meaning

monosyllabic

one syllable word

polysyllabic

multiple syllable word

euphonious

pleasant sounding

cacophonous

harsh sounding

literal

accurate without embellishment

figurative

comparison creating a pictorial effect

Denotative

exact meaning

connotative

suggested, emotional meaning

objective

impersonal, unemotional

subjective

personal, emotional

active

states action

passive

states being

concrete

specific, tangible

abstract

conceptual, philosophical (usually brings meaning)

hyperbole

deliberate exaggeration of fact

understated

deliberate misrepresentation of less

pedestrian

layman’s terms

pedantic

boorish, inflated language

vulgarity

language deficient in taste and refinement

slang

vernacular speech sometimes humorous, exaggerated, or shortened for effect

colloquial

regional, provincial

jargon

specific to a field or profession

clichê

language used so often it has lost its freshness and clarity

informal/standard

correct but conversational

formal (literate)

appropriate for more formal occasions

assonance

repetition of a similar vowel sound in closely associated words

consonance

repetition of similar consonant sound in closely associated words

alliteration

repetition of initial consonant sound in closely associated words

onomatopoeia

words whose pronunciation suggests the meaning

Never are you allowed to say that ____

the author uses a lot of diction