APLAC Vocab Diction

Diction words

Levels of Articulation/Diction

Informal, Non-Standard, Formal

Types of Non-Standard Language

Vulgarity, Slang, Colloquial, Jargon, Ciche

Non-Standard Language definition

Deficient in some form or manner

Vulgarity definition

Course, base, lacks refinement

Slang definition

Vernacular language used for humor or exaggeration (ex: chick, dude, etc.)

Colloquial deinition

Regional language; differs in usage, connotation, and pronunciation (ex: you all = y’all)

Jargon definition

specific language for a field/profession (ex: chip, byte, CPU = computer field)

Cliche definition

Figurative language used so often that it has lost its freshness and clarity (ex: “bigger and better,” “loomed on the horizon,” “jumped for joy”)

What is informal/standard language?

Language grammatically correct, but conversational. (not slag but not business language)

What is formal (literate) language?

Language appropriate for more formal occasions, often more abstract

What is Euphonious’s pair

Cacophonous

What is Euphonious?

Pleasant sounding (soft words. Ex: pillow)

What is Cacophonous?

Harsh sounding (“thicker words”. Ex: awkward)

What is Literal’s pair?

Figurative (cliche)

What is Literal?

Accurate language without embellishment (ex: frugal)

What is Figurative (cliche)?

Comparative language for a pictorial effect (ex: tight as bark on a tree)

What is Denotative’s pair?

Connotative

What is Denotative?

Language with exact meaning (ex: dress, obese)

What is Connotative?

Language with suggested emotional meaning (with both positive and negative impacts. ex: gown, plump)

What is Objective’s pair?

Subjective

What is Objective?

Language impersonal, unemotional, unbiased (no feelings)

What is Subjective?

Language that is personal, has emotion (pathos), and bias (feelings)

What is Active’s pair?

Passive

What is Active?

States action (ex: the students made progress)

What is Passive?

States being (ex: progress was made by the students)

What is Concrete’s pair?

Abstract

What is Concrete?

Language is specific; tangible (things, facts. Something you can touch. ex: girl, flag)

What is Abstract?

Language that is conceptual, philosophical (ideas. Ex: beauty, patriotism)

What is Hyperbole’s (overstated) pair?

Understated

What is Hyperbole (overstated)

Language deliberate at misrepresenting as more (ex: the shot hear ‘round the world’)

What is Understated?

Language has a deliberate misrepresenting as less (ex: I was only doing my job)

What is Pedestrian’s pair?

Pedantic

What is Pedestrian?

Language of the common layman (ex: cool)

What is Pedantic?

Language inflated to display importance (bougie. ex: urbane/suave)

What is diction?

Word choice, general character of the language used by the author. Words have 3 levels to them and are selected based on their efficiency in 3 areas: 1. Appearance, 2. Sound, 3. Meaning (who uses the word?; where is the word used?; why is the word used?)