Diction Why to Learn Diction in Writing The

Diction

Why to Learn Diction in Writing?

The difference between the right word and the almost-right word is as great as that between lightning and the lightning bug. “用词准确与用词几乎准确，这两者之间的差 异就如闪电与萤火虫之间的差异。” ----- Mark Twain

Teaching Objectives The importance of how to use suitable words in writing Understand the levels of words and the meaning level of words Distinguish and learn to use the general and specific words Learn some Idioms

Reorganization Teaching Contents 1 2 Levels of words Meaning levels of words 3 4 General & Specific words Idioms

Levels of the Words 词的类型

Levels of the Words daily conversation Vivid and interesting Informal (Slang) Common Frequently descriptive used Formal clear exact

For our students, what are For students, the words weour should not what kind of words do we use in writing? often use in writing? Common words. slang words, dialectal words and certain words used by uneducated speakers

The Meaning of Words 词义

How to Translate “国家” in English? denotative connotative the literal meaning or primary meaning the feeling or ideas implied by a word country state nation land 地区, 其人口, 政府 国 家 政府及政治组织 人民 比country更广泛 但更文雅更有感情色彩

country neighboring ______ ¡ An island______; country ¡ In area China is the third largest country _____ in the world. nation ¡ Chinese people is a peace-loving ______; nations of Africa the awakening ______ ¡ The modernization has won the support of the whole _______. nation State -owned enterprises ¡ _____ land ¡ China is my native ______.

Denotation & Connotation (thoughts about the word) (Symbol-the word) (what the word stands for) The Semantic Triangle

Denotation & Connotation (thoughts about the word) (Symbol-the word) winter The Semantic Triangle (what the word stands for)

Denotation & Connotation (thoughts about the word) (Symbol-the word) winter (what the word stands for) The coldest season of the year. The Semantic Triangle

Denotation & Connotation (thoughts about the word) desolate, icy, bitter, barren, snow, cold, white (Symbol-the word) winter (what the word stands for) The coldest season of the year. The Semantic Triangle

Denotation & Connotation (thoughts about the word) (Symbol-the word) (what the word stands for) home The Semantic Triangle

Denotation & Connotation (thoughts about the word) (Symbol-the word) (what the word stands for) home the place where one lives The Semantic Triangle

Denotation & Connotation (thoughts about the word) warmth, shelter, parents, comfort, safety (Symbol-the word) (what the word stands for) home the place where one lives The Semantic Triangle

resolute person. Everyone likes to makes 1. He is a _______ friends with him. (stubborn/ resolute) resolute 表示“果断的、不屈不挠的”，是褒义; stubborn 表示“顽固的、执拗的”，是贬义. 2. I felt very sorry that I had to decline _______his invitation. (refuse/decline) refuse 拒绝 decline 婉言谢绝 envious of his 3. All his friends are quite _______ opportunity to study abroad. (jealous/ envious) jealous 嫉妒 envious 羡慕

little small courage confidence ability wisdom except besides big large huge great family home humble modest amount of money number of people quantity of beer

The Meaning of Words rich in synonyms Look up the dictionary with English explanations. different in stylistic level, the degree of emphasis, emotional coloring, tone, and collocation(搭配)

General and Specific Words 一般词汇和 具体词汇

general words present main idea specific words provide details

¡I was very happy. ¡I was overjoyed. ¡I was very scared. ¡I was terrified.

¡ General: 随堂练习 ¡ I met a girl on my first day of college. ¡ Specific: • Upon my first colleges I seatedclass, myself. I ¡ …When I went to my class, first college atsat theinrear the huge hall and theofback of thelecture big room and tried attempted avoid. But being observed. not to betoseen. a slender girl. However, sitting a just slim in girlfront who of occupied the seat me turned and immediately smiled. She inspoke front ofsoftly mine with twisted and grinned. mearound several times and She proceeded to engage me inmy a whispering smiled. I decided to change seat. conversation numerous times during the hour. I made a decision to change my location.

Idioms 习语

natural and idiomatic 自然地道 idioms informal and colloquial Do not use slang and cliches(陈词滥调)

Feel like a fish out of water Be like a fish out of water Meaning: Feel uncomfortable because you are in an unfamiliar situation. If you feel like a fish out of water, you feel awkward or uncomfortable because you are in an unusual or unfamiliar situation. Example: I don't like going to the big parties they have. I always feel like a fish out of water there.

What does this mean really? Hurry up! Go faster!

And this? Wait - Don’t give up.

And what about this one? To discourage or disgust someone

Numbers up Lots of idioms are about numbers. See if you can fill in the missing numbers in these says. What do they mean? § Dressed up to the ______ § Talking ___ to the dozen § One in a ______ § Playing ______ fiddle § In _______ heaven

Numbers up Lots of idioms are about numbers. See if you can fill in the missing numbers in these says. What do they mean? § Dressed up to the nines 盛装出席 § At sixes and sevens with you 杂乱无章 § Talking nineteen to the dozen 喋喋不休 § One in a million 独特 § Playing second fiddle 做副手 § In seventh heaven 极快乐

Food for thought. . . These idioms are all about food. Can you explain what they really mean? § piece of cake easy § to cook one’s goose to wreck someone’s plans § bite off more than one can chew to take on more than you can handle § go bananas go crazy

Animal Crackers. . . cats and dogs! § It’s raining ____ heavy rain § I’ve got a ____ frog in my throat. § dry or sore throat dogs. I will go to the_____. Take sb to ruin/destruction crocodile § Those are just _____tears. fake tears rat § I smell a ___. something is suspicious

Being exact /exactness Diction in a broad sense Being concise /conciseness Being clear /clearness

1. Being exact/exactness (1) He is a bad boy. (2) He is a naughty/spoiled/evil/ill-mannered boy. 2. Being concise (not wordy)/conciseness (1) It was blue in color. (2) In my opinion, I think your plan is feasible. 3. Being clear/clearness (1) Robert Burns was a poet. (2) Robert Burns was one of the great poets in 18 th century.

Self-learning Assignment 1. Group Games： Brainstorming the following words and try to think of words that are more specific: good (person), bad (person), walk, look at, angry. And then make up a descriptive paragraph according to those specific words. (present next class) 2. Finish the Task 3 and translate the idioms of P 20. 3. Preview: Next Part Figures of Speech