Diction
Diction Definition
Diction can be defined as style of speaking or writing, determined by the choice of words by
a speaker or a writer. Diction, or choice of words, often separates good writing from bad writing.
It depends on a number of factors. Firstly, the word has to be right and accurate. Secondly, words
should be appropriate to the context in which they are used. Lastly, the choice of words should
be such that the listener or reader understands easily.
Proper diction, or proper choice of words, is important to get the message across. On the other
hand, the wrong choice of words can easily divert listeners or readers, which results in
misinterpretation of the message intended to be conveyed.
Types of Diction
Individuals vary their diction depending on different contexts and settings. Therefore, we come
across various types of diction.
Formal diction – formal words are used in formal situations, such as press conferences
and presentations.
Informal diction – uses informal words and conversation, such as writing or talking to
friends.
Colloquial diction – uses words common in everyday speech, which may be different in
different regions or communities.
Slang diction – is the use of words that are newly coined, or even impolite.
Examples of Diction in Literature
Depending on the topics at hand, writers tend to vary their diction. Let us see some examples of
diction in literature:
Example #1: Ode on a Grecian Urn (By John Keats)
John Keats, in his Ode on a Grecian Urn, uses formal diction to achieve a certain effect. He
says:
“Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard
Are sweeter: therefore, ye soft pipes, play on …”
Notice the use of the formal “ye,” instead of the informal “you.” The formality here is due to the
respect the urn inspires in Keats. In the same poem he says:
“Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shed
Your leaves, nor ever bid the spring adieu.”
It is more formal to use “adieu” than to say “goodbye.”
Example #2: The Sun Rising (By John Donne)
In sharp contrast to Keats, John Donne uses colloquialism in his poem The Sun Rising:
“Busy old fool, unruly Sun,
Why dost thou thus,
Through windows, and through curtains, call on us?
Must to thy motions lovers’ seasons run?
Saucy pedantic wretch, go chide. “
Treating the sun as a real human being in this excerpt, the poet speaks to the sun in an informal
way, using colloquial expressions. He rebukes the sun because it has appeared to spoil the good
time he is having with his beloved. Further, he orders the “saucy pedantic sun” to go away.
Example #3: The School (By Donald Barthelme)
Writers skillfully choose words to develop a certain tone and atmosphere in their works. Read
the following excerpt from a short story The School, by Donald Barthelme:
“And the trees all died. They were orange trees. I don’t know why they died, they just
died. Something wrong with the soil possibly or maybe the stuff we got from the
nursery wasn’t the best. We complained about it. So we’ve got thirty kids there, each
kid had his or her own little tree to plant and we’ve got these thirty dead trees. All
these kids looking at these little brown sticks, it was depressing.”
The use of the words “died,” “dead,” “brown sticks,” and “depressing” gives a gloomy tone to
the passage.
Example #4: A Tale of Two Cities (By Charles Dickens)
Sometimes writers repeat their chosen words or phrases to achieve an artistic effect, such as in
the following example from A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was
the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it
was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it
was the winter of despair.”
By repeating the phrase “It was the …” throughout the passage, the writer ensures that the
readers will give more consideration to the characteristic of the era they are going to read about
in the novel.
Function of Diction
In literature, writers choose words to create and convey a typical mood, tone, and atmosphere to
their readers. A writer’s choice of words, and his selection of graphic words, not only affect the
reader’s attitude, but also conveys the writer’s feelings toward the literary work. Moreover,
poetry is known for its unique diction, which separates it from prose. Usually, a poetic diction is
marked by the use of figures of speech, rhyming words, and other devices.
What Is the Purpose of Diction in Writing?
Writers choose specific words and phrases depending on the outcome they’re trying to
achieve. Diction can:
Create a certain tone that supports purpose. The purpose of a piece of writing
determines its diction. In literature and fiction writing, writers often use informal
diction and figures of speech—words used for non-literal meanings, like similes
and metaphors. If a scientist is publishing a paper on their research, however, the
language will be technical, concise, and formal, written for a specific audience.
Support the setting. In fiction writing, the language an author uses supports the
basic story elements, like setting. Diction helps establish when and where a story is
set by using language native to that time and place. This is called colloquial
diction. For example, a story set in New York City will have a different style of
language compared to a story that takes place in London.
Establish a narrative voice and tone. A writer’s attitude towards the subject of a
story comes through in the words they use. This helps establish tone and impacts
readers’ emotional response. For example, the tone of a horror novel will be very
different to that of a romance novel.
Bring characters to life. A writer can tell a reader a lot about characters through
their dialogue. The way a character uses diction reflects personal detai ls like age
and gender, background, social setting, and profession. For example, a younger
character might use slang when they speak.
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8 Different Types of Diction in Writing
Different styles of diction impact how different ideas are expressed. There are eight
common types of diction:
1. Formal diction. Formal diction is the use of sophisticated language, without slang
or colloquialisms. Formal diction sticks to grammatical rules and uses complicated
syntax—the structure of sentences. This elevated type of language is often found in
professional texts, business documents, and legal papers.
2. Informal diction. Informal diction is more conversational and often used in
narrative literature. This casual vernacular is representative of how people
communicate in real life, which gives an author freedom to depict more realistic
characters. Most short stories and novels use informal diction.
3. Pedantic diction. This is when a writer is highly detailed or academic in their
writing. Words are chosen specifically to convey only one meaning. It is sometimes
used in literature when characters speak in a highly educated manner, as in F. Scott
Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
4. Colloquial diction. Colloquial words or expressions are informal in nature and
generally represent a certain region or time. “Ain’t” and “y’all” are examples of
colloquial expressions, born in rural areas of the United States. Colloquialisms add
color and realism to writing.
5. Slang diction. These are words that originated within a specific culture or
subgroup but gained traction. Slang can be a new word, a shortened or modified
word, or words that take on a new meaning. Examples of common contemporary
slang words are “aggro” instead of “aggravated”; “hip,” which mean s trendy; and
“throw shade,” which is to lob an insult at someone.
6. Abstract diction. This is when a writer uses words to express something
intangible, like an idea or an emotion. Abstract phrases often lack physical detail
and specificity because they are things the reader cannot experience through their
five senses.
7. Concrete diction. Concrete diction is the use of words for their literal meanings
and often refer to things that appeal to the senses. The meaning is not open to
interpretation because the writer is specific and detailed in their phrasing. For
example, the sentence: “I ate an apple.”
8. Poetic diction. Poetic diction is driven by lyrical words that relate to a specific
theme reflected in a poem, and create a euphonious, or harmonious, sound. Poetic
diction usually involves the use of descriptive language, sometimes set to a beat or
rhyme.
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3 Examples of Diction in Literature
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Authors use diction to effectively support their narrative and characters.
1. Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In Mark Twain’s classic tale,
Huck Finn, the narrator, is a 13-year-old boy growing up near the Mississippi River
in the 1800s. Twain uses a very informal, salt-of-the-earth colloquial diction to
establish Finn’s character, his youthfulness, and his background: “I climb up the
shed and crept up to my window just before day was breaking. My new clothes was
all greased-up and clayey, and I was dog-tired.”
2. Jules Verne, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. As Pierre Arronax guides
the reader out to sea, the marine biologist describes his watery surroundings in
scientific detail: “At last, after walking two hours, we had attained a depth of about
300 yards, that is to say, the extreme limit on which coral begins to form.” Jules
Verne is using pedantic diction to establish Arronax an academic who the reader
can trust. His speech is literal, concrete, and full of details that help create a
sensory experience.
3. Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities. Charles Dickens opens his classic story
with this line: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” This is an
example of abstract diction—the lines reference experience and emotions rather
than concrete information. These opening lines build intrigue and pique curiosity,
drawing a reader in to find out more.
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