Diction — Definition, Types, and Examples
What is diction?
Diction is the choice of words writers use to communicate their ideas. They base their choice of diction on the content, type or piece of writing, and audience.
When writers are making this decision, they focus on the connotation of the words rather than the denotation. Connotation concerns the feeling the word invokes, whereas denotation is the word's dictionary definition.
Essentially, by incorporating certain types of diction, writers accomplish the following:
Tone: Different types of writing can warrant different tones. Diction allows writers to develop a tone appropriate for the subject matter (i.e., fiction vs. nonfiction). A short story, novel, or poem would contain different diction and writing style than a scientific report or persuasive essay.
Setting: In fictional works, a writer's choice of diction can help identify the text's setting through the use of words native to the time and place in which the story takes place. By using careful diction, authors can create more authentic work.
Characterization: The different words characters use in a literary work can help the author develop their identities. Diction can help identify characters’ education, age, profession, etc., making them more realistic.
Types of diction
While there are multiple types of diction, the following categories are the most common:
Formal: Formal diction uses sophisticated language that follows grammar rules and avoids personal pronouns and contractions. Professional texts contain formal diction, such as research reports, legal documents, and scientific studies.
Informal: Informal diction consists of everyday language. It uses slang words, contractions, and personal pronouns. People use this type of diction in casual conversations and when communicating with friends and family.
Colloquial: Colloquial diction refers to words or expressions spoken in a specific time and place by a wide range of people. It incorporates informal diction and regional expressions (e.g., soda vs. pop).
Slang: Slang is extremely informal and is often restricted to a certain group of people or professions. These words and phrases are often generational, and words are often replaced as generations shift (e.g., groovy vs. cool). While similar to colloquial language, slang is not as widespread and is not solely dictated by region.
Concrete: Concrete diction is when a writer uses the literal definition (denotation). These words are not open to interpretation and do not create an emotional response.
Abstract: Abstract diction consists of words that cannot be described using any of the five senses. This language describes intangible qualities like love, disgust, and happiness.
Pedantic: Academic, technical, and highly detailed words are classified as pedantic. Pedantic characters often speak in a highly educated way, yet they sometimes correct even the smallest of errors, which irritates others.
Poetic: Poetic diction involves the type of language used in poetry that differs from typical conversational diction. These words create the rhythm and rhyme incorporated into poetic verse.
Jargon: Jargon is language dedicated to a specific field of study, which can include a profession, trade, or hobby.
Diction examples
The following chart identifies examples of the major types of diction:
| Type | Example | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Formal | According to Dr. Smith, there is a 30% chance that the experiment’s results will not be accurate. | research, scientific studies, technical writing |
| Informal | Hank told us the test wouldn’t give us the right results. | personal letters, emails, conversations with family and friends, fictional works |
| Colloquial | Y’all are gonna wanna see the wicked test Hank is doing. | fictional and poetic works |
| Slang | Hank’s test is far out, but the results ain’t going to be groovy. | conversations with family and friends, fictional and poetic works |
| Concrete | Hank typed the results into the computer. | all types of writing | Abstract | Hank’s love for science does not impair his spiritual beliefs. | all types of writing | Pedantic | Hank’s results do not consider the ramifications of the atomic structure, which even a child could understand. | fictional works, academic papers | Poetic | “Reason and Newton, they are quite two things, / For so the swallow and the sparrow sings. / Reason says 'Miracle', Newton says 'Doubt'.” – William Black | poetry | Jargon | Hank’s hypothesis did not take into account the Doppler effect. | professions, trades, hobbies |
Diction in literature
The following examples showcase the use of diction from various literary works:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Lee incorporates different types of diction depending on who is speaking and under what circumstances. As a young boy, Jem utilizes colloquial language and informal diction, which helps to showcase his age. Atticus, Jem’s father, uses a combination of informal (“folks”) and formal (“entitled to full respect”) diction. By using multiple types of diction, Lee develops Atticus as multidimensional, as he is both a father and a lawyer:
Jem Finch: “You can choose your friends but you sho' can't choose your family, an' they're still kin to you no matter whether you acknowledge 'em or not, and it makes you look right silly when you don't.”
Atticus Finch: “They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions... but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.”
King James Bible: Due to the nature of the material, stories in the King James Bible incorporate abstract and formal diction combined with informal diction (personal pronouns) that can help the reader relate to the information.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me” (Psalms 23:4).
Diction in poetry
The following examples showcase the use of diction from various poems:
“Because I could not stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson: Dickinson incorporates abstract diction while maintaining a certain number of beats to each line (alternating between eight and six). The syllable pattern creates a musical effect, making her diction poetic:
Because I could not stop for Death –
He kindly stopped for me –
The Carriage held but just Ourselves –
And Immortality.
We slowly drove – He knew no haste
And I had put away
My labor and my leisure too,
For His Civility –
We passed the School, where Children strove
At Recess – in the Ring –
We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain –
We passed the Setting Sun –
Or rather – He passed Us –
The Dews drew quivering and Chill –
For only Gossamer, my Gown –
My Tippet – only Tulle –
We paused before a House that seemed
A Swelling of the Ground –
The Roof was scarcely visible –
The Cornice – in the Ground –
Since then – 'tis Centuries – and yet
Feels shorter than the Day
I first surmised the Horses' Heads
Were toward Eternity –
Sonnet 30 by William Shakespeare: The sonnet form uses poetic diction through both its meter (beats per line) and rhyme scheme. With five sets of unstressed and stressed syllables and an ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme, poets can use language to create a rhythmic pattern:
When to the sessions of sweet silent thought
I summon up remembrance of things past,
I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought,
And with old woes new wail my dear time's waste:
Then can I drown an eye, unus'd to flow,
For precious friends hid in death's dateless night,
And weep afresh love's long since cancell'd woe,
And moan th' expense of many a vanish'd sight;
Then can I grieve at grievances foregone,
And heavily from woe to woe tell o'er
The sad account of fore-bemoaned moan,
Which I new pay as if not paid before.
But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
All losses are restor'd, and sorrows end.