the manner in which something is expressed in words; "use concise military verbiage"- G S Patton
The choice of a particular word as opposed to others A writer could call a rock formation by many words--a stone, a boulder, an outcropping, a pile of rocks, a cairn, a mound, or even an "anomalous geological feature " The questions always become, "Why that particular choice of words? What is the effect of that diction?" The word choice a writer makes determines the reader's reaction to the object of description, and contributes to the author's style and tone (see below) Compare with concrete diction and abstract diction, above It is also possible to separate diction into high or formal diction, which involves elaborate, technical, or polysyllabic vocabulary and careful attention to the proprieties of grammar, and low or informal diction, which involves conversational or familiar language, contractions, slang, elision, and grammatical errors designed to convey a relaxed tone
(dic·tion) Pronunciation: 'dik-sh&n Function: noun : choice of words especially with regard to correctness, clearness, or effectiveness : WORDING <careless diction in the student's essay>
Is the foundation of voice and contributes to all of its element Signifies the types of words, phrases, and sentence structures, and sometimes also of figurative language that make up a work of literature Think Word Choice "That guy was really mad!" ; the author uses informal diction -guy-mad Whereas in the sentence, "The gentleman was considerably irritated," the author uses more elevated diction- gentleman, irritated
Someone's diction is how clearly they speak or sing. His diction wasn't very good
Word choice, particularly as an element of style Different types and arrangements of words have significant effects on meaning An essay written in academic diction would be much less colorful, but perhaps more precise than street slang You should be able to describe an author's diction You SHOULDN'T write in your thesis, "The author uses diction " This is essentially saying, "The author chooses words to write " Instead, describe the type of diction (for example, formal or informal, ornate or plain)
Refers to the choice and arrangements of words, phrases, sentence structures and figurative language that constitute any work of literature
- the choice of words Formal diction consists of a dignified, impersonal and elevated use of language Middle diction is that language typically spoken by educated individuals Informal diction tends to be more colloquial and less educated, and often uses slang expressions
One of the six important features of a drama, according to Aristotle, who meant by the term the intelligence and appropriateness of the play's speeches Today, this term refers primarily to the actor's need for articulate speech and clear pronunciation
Choice of words for the expression of ideas; the construction, disposition, and application of words in discourse, with regard to clearness, accuracy, variety, etc
the articulation of speech regarded from the point of view of its intelligibility to the audience