Diction and style AP LIT QUIZ

Connotation

the emotional idea/association suggested by a word, rather than the dictionary definition (denotation).

“Policeman”, “cop,” and “pig” can all refer to the meaning of police officer, but each has a different connotation.

Denotation

dictionary definition; the literal meaning of a word, without its connotations.

Colloquial

Ordinary or familiar type of conversation usually specific to a religion or dialect. A colloquialism is a saying that is specific to a region and/or its dialect. "Im fixin to" or "bless your heart" in Southern dialects.

Diction

word choice, particularly as an element of style; different types of diction are appropriate for different types of writing tasks, as different types of words have significant effects on meaning

Didactic

having a teaching purpose. some books in The Bible, sermons, parables, etc.

Elegy

poetry or speech which laments the loss of a person or sometimes of an era or aspect of culture; an elegiac tone is a lamenting tone or a somewhat nostalgic tone. Pastoral elegies lament the loss of simple rural, farm life

Jargon

the diction used by a group which practices a similar profession or activity, Technical or medical jargon

Mood

the atmosphere of feeling created by the literary piece and accomplished through word choice (diction). Setting, tone, and events can all affect the mood. (Ask yourself, how does this story make me feel? That’s the mood.)

Narrative Point of View

the stance from which a story is told

First person = 1, third person = he/she/they, third person omniscient = viewing the action from a god-like stance; seeing inside of every character’s mind, third person limited = viewing the action primarily from one of the character’s angle.

Pastoral

A literary style that idealizes life in the country.

Style

the choices in diction, tone and syntax that a writer makes

Vernacular

Plain, everyday speech, common man’s speech

Tone

a writer's attitude toward his subject matter revealed through diction,

figurative language and organization. To identify tone, consider how the piece

would sound if read aloud (or how the author wanted it to sound aloud).

Playful, serious, businesslike, sarcastic, humorous, formal, somber, etc.

Farce

low comedy, featuring clowning and slapstick methods. The Three Stooges.