Diction and Analysis Do Over Lesson Diction the

Diction and Analysis Do Over Lesson

Diction- the words and phrases that the author uses In order to analyze diction or word choice we must look at: ØConnotation and Denotation ØFigurative Language ØFormal vs Informal tone ØAnd 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.

Simile Ars Poetica By Archibald Mac. Leish 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. Simile Let’s see what this looks like in writing. Simile

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 if a dewdrop did drop dew?

Alliteration Let’s see what this looks like in a poem. These examples use the beginning sounds of words only twice in a line, but by definition, that’s all you need. Alliteration She Walks in Beauty I. She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that’s best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes: Thus mellowed to that tender light Which Heaven to gaudy day denies.

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

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 literal on the____definition of a word. The connotative definition is the____________ figurative or emotional meaning of a word.

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 Negative We bought inexpensive souvenirs at the amusement park. We bought cheap souvenirs at the amusement park. I ate a moist sandwich. I ate a soggy sandwich. I am a bargain shopper. 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?