#diction

Diction - the careful selection of words to communicate a message or establish a particular voice or writing style.

The linguistic choices a writer makes to effectively convey an idea, a point of view, or tell a story. In literature, the words used by an author can help establish a distinct voice and style.

For example, flowy, figurative language creates colorful prose, while a more formal vocabulary with concise and direct language can help drive home a point.

Types of Diction in Writing

Different styles of diction impact how different ideas are expressed. There are 8 common types of diction:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 means trendy; and “throw shade,” which is to lob an insult at someone.

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.

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.”

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.

Examples of Diction in Literature

This humorous tweet reminded me of one of my biggest pet peeves: seeing people swap out simple words for “smarter” synonyms that don’t actually fit the context. It’s like watching someone put a fancy hat on a t-shirt—it draws attention, but it doesn’t make sense. Words have nuance, and replacing a word just because it sounds more impressive can make the sentence awkward, confusing, or unintentionally funny.

💁🏻 Sometimes clarity is smarter than flashiness.