Diction Terms

Diction

- word choice

1. Concrete words-

1. words denoting objects that can be perceived by the senses (actual tangible things)

1. Abstract words -

1. words denoting intangible concepts like ideas or qualities (love, hate, beauty)

1. Formal diction

1. - language characterized by intellectual vocabulary

1. Informal diction

1. - language closest to everyday conversation (includes colloquialisms, slang, etc.)

1. Colloquialism

1. - the use of slang or informal diction in speech and writing

1. Connotation

1. - the nonliteral, implied meanings of a word

1. Denotation

1. - the strict dictionary definition of a word

1. Literal Language

1. - words used in their ordinary meanings.

1. Monosyllabic

1. - words of one syllable

1. Polysyllabic

1. words of more than one syllable

1. Dialect

1. - a way of speaking that is characteristic of a particular region or group of people. Dialect is often spelled the way the word is pronounced in a certain region or by a person, as opposed to how the word is actually spelled.

Epithet

- An adjective or phrase applied to a person to emphasize a personal characteristic or quality

1. Euphemism

1. - Greek for "use of good words"; Using an indirect statement instead of a direct one in order to avoid being blunt (EX: using "passed away" instead of "died")

1. Ambiguity

1. - multiple meanings, either intentional or unintentional, of a word, phrase, sentence or passage

1. Idiom

1. - phrases / expressions that aren't meant to be taken literally

1. Imagery

1. Words or phrases that appeal to one or more of the five senses. Imagery appeals to sight, taste, smell, hearing, touch; it deals with sensory descriptions.

1. Invective

1. - insulting, abusive, or highly critical language

1. Jargon

1. Jargon - the specific language of a group, trade, or occupation (it tends to be complex and difficult to understand)

1. Malapropism

1. - the humorous use of a word that is taken out of context or "mistakenly" used in place of another word

(EX: In the following picture, the phrase "Bon Appetit" is replaced with bone app the teeth

1. Tone

1. - The author's emotional attitude toward the subject matter. Tone determines the words the author wil use.

1. Onomatopoeia

1. - Sound words (EX: snap, crackle, pop)

1. Portmanteau word -

1. A portmanteau is literally a suitcase. In
   terms of diction, these are words formed by blending sounds from two or more distinct words and combining their meanings (Ex: "cosplay" from costume and play, "fandom" from fanatic and kingdom, "Pintrest" from pin and interest and "Sharknado"

Pun

- a play on the multiple meanings of a words or two words that sound alike but have different meanings

1. Sarcasm

1. - bitter, caustic language meant to hurt or ridicule someone or something. It may use irony, but not all irony is sarcastic.

1. Slang

1. Slang - Very informal, nonstandard word use that goes in and out of style rapidly (Ex: Bromance)