Diction and Analysis

Do Over Lesson

Diction Diction- the words and phrases

that the author uses In order to analyze diction or

word choice we must look at:Connotation and DenotationFigurative Language Formal vs Informal tone And more!

A comparison between two usually unrelated things using the word “like” or “as”.

Examples: Joe is as hungry as a bear.In the morning, Rae is like an angry

lion.

Ars Poetica By Archibald MacLeish

A poem should be palpable and mute as a globed fruit,

Silent as the sleeve-worn stone

Of casement ledges where the moss has grown—

A poem should be wordless

As the flight of birds.

Let’s see what this looks like in writing.

Sim

ile

Sim

ile

Sim

ile

An implied comparison between two usually unrelated things.

Examples: Lenny is a snake.Ginny is a mouse when it

comes to standing up for herself.The difference between a simile and a metaphor is that a simile requires either “like” or “as” to be included in the comparison, and a metaphor requires that neither be used.

Giving human characteristics to inanimate objects, ideas, or animals.

Example: The sun stretched its lazy fingers over the valley.

An exaggeration for the sake of

emphasis.Examples:I may sweat to death.The blood bank needs a river of blood.

The repetition of the initial letter or sound in two or more words in a line.

To the lay-person, these are called “tongue-twisters”.

Example: How much dew would a dewdrop drop if a dewdrop did drop dew?

She Walks in BeautyI.

She walks in beauty, like the nightOf cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that’s best of dark and brightMeet in her aspect and her eyes:

Thus mellowed to that tender lightWhich Heaven to gaudy day denies.

Let’s see what this looks like in a poem.

Allite

ratio

n

Allite

ratio

n

Alli

tera

tion

These examples use the beginning sounds of words only twice in a line, but by definition, that’s all you need.

• The repeating of sounds, words, phrases, have already been said or written.

Repetition

Idioms An idiom is a phrase that is

different from the meanings of the individual words themselves.

Figurative Language Practice Look at the following

examples Identify what type of figurative language is used.

What is this?

•Sweet like the icing on cake

We would have had more pizza to eat if Tammy hadn’t been such a hog.

•She is a walking

dictionary

The denotative definition is based on the________definition of a word.

The connotative definition is the________________________ meaning of a word.

literal

figurative or emotional

Connotation

The emotional associations of a word or phrase, as opposed to its exact meaning.

“Greasy” has a denotation meaning slippery but also has a connotation when referring to a “greasy” person.

• The connotative meanings of a word exist together with the denotative meanings.

• The denotation of the word snake is “any of numerous scaly, legless, and sometimes venomous reptiles”

• The connotations for the word snake could include evil or danger.

Connotation

Positive

We bought inexpensive souvenirs at the amusement park.

I ate a moist sandwich.

I am a bargain shopper.

Negative We bought cheap

souvenirs at the amusement park.

I ate a soggy sandwich.

I am a cheapskate.

Which One?

Positive or Negative Connotation

Positive Connotation immature

youthful

Back to Game

Positive Connotation limit

restrict

Back to Game

Positive Connotation filthy

dirty

Back to Game

Negative Connotation stingy

thrifty

Back to Game

Negative Connotation cluttered

messy

Back to Game

Negative Connotation unusual

weird

Back to Game

What is SOAPSTone?

Speaker: The voice that tells the story

Occasion: The time and the place of the piece; the context that prompted the writing.

Audience: The group of readers to whom this piece is directed

Purpose: The reason behind the text

Subject: The topic of the piece of writing

Tone: The attitude of the author

Speaker While reading the text, ask yourself this major

question: WHO IS SPEAKING?

Don’t confuse the author with the speaker. They are two different voices; sometimes two different personas. For example, Jim is a reporter for the NY Times, but the speaker is a man trying to influence readers to steer clear of a new product.

Ask yourself: What’s the point of a speaker? Why do we care who is speaking? How does it influence the text? How does it influence the reader?

Who is speaking to the reader? Is it an economist? A fashion guru? A teacher? A lawmaker? An angry student ?

POINT OF VIEW IN POETRY

POET

The poet is the author of the poem.

SPEAKER

The speaker of the poem is the “narrator” of the poem.

Occasion While reading, it’s important to determine WHAT

EVENT INFLUENCED THE TEXT.

Why do we write? Why does it matter? Do we just write about anything and everything, or are we influenced to write?

Ask yourself: Why is this person writing this text now? What major event or occurrence inspired this piece of writing?

Are they writing in response to a new law? An ongoing war? A celebrity mishap? A major world crisis?