Department of Education

Daraga National High School

Sagpon, Daraga, Albay

Reading Material in Creative Writing

Lesson 2: Diction

What is diction?
Diction refers to word choice—choosing the right word for the right situation, which can set the scene or
evoke a particular mood in writing. Diction can tell you something about a writer’s attitude towards a
subject (or even their readers), their background and interests, where they grew up, or how they see
themselves. It can make a piece of writing simple and pleasing to read—or difficult and boring.  

Determining the “right” word for a given situation involves understanding its denotation, or dictionary

definition, and its connotation, or the subtler meanings a word can pick up in certain contexts. Authors
also must consider what they want the text to achieve, and what readers will want. 

Tone, Mood, and Audience

When thinking about proper diction, an author should consider three main categories: tone, mood, and
audience.

Audience refers to who will be reading the work. Authors tend to write to a particular audience, whether
kids, or young adults, or specialist within a field. The audience can affect the mood and tone of the
writing because different audiences have different expectations.
Tone refers to the author’s attitude—how they feel about their subject and their readers. It expresses
something of the author’s persona, the aspects of their personality they wish to show to their readers. For
example, are they being funny or serious? Are they writing with fondness or with derision?
Mood refers to the overall atmosphere or feeling of a piece of writing. It is often closely related to tone,
because the author’s attitude influences the overall feeling of a text. It’s difficult, for instance, to take a
jovial tone if the overall mood of the piece ought to be somber, or vice versa. Wuthering Heights by
Emily Brontë would be far less effective as a Gothic text if its spooky atmosphere was interrupted by
witty, sarcastic commentary in the style of Jane Austen.
Levels of Diction
There are different levels of diction that are important for clarifying an author’s audience and
purpose. Generally, rhetoricians recognize three levels: high, middle, and low. While these terms survive
from the ancient Romans, they still work well today.  

 “High” diction can be thought of as formal or elevated: the sort of language used in research
papers or formal speeches.
 Usually contains language that creates an elevated tone. It is free of slang, idioms,
colloquialisms, and contractions. It often contains polysyllabic words, sophisticated syntax, and
elegant word choice.

Example:

Discerning the impracticable state of the poor culprit’s mind, the elder clergyman, who had carefully
prepared himself for the occasion, addressed to the multitude a discourse on sin, in all its branches, but
with continual reference to the ignominious letter. So forcibly did he dwell upon this symbol, for the
hour or more during which his periods were rolling over the people’s heads, that it assumed new terrors
in their imagination, and seemed to derive its scarlet hue from the flames of the infernal pit.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1850.
  “Middle” diction is essentially neutral Neutral Diction); that is, it isn’t especially formal or
informal, and it can be used in a variety of settings to reach a broad audience. Essays and
newspaper articles are examples of language that might use middle diction.  
 Uses standard language and vocabulary without elaborate words and may include contractions.

Example:

The shark swung over, and the old man saw his eye was not alive and then he swung over once
again, wrapping himself in two loops of the rope. The old man knew that he was dead, but the
shark would not accept it. Then, on his back, with his tail lashing and his jaws clicking, the shark
plowed over the water as a speedboat does. The water was white where his tail beat it and three-
quarters of his body was clear above the water when the rope came taut, shivered, and then
snapped. The shark lay quietly for a little while on the surface and the old man watched him.
Then he went down very slowly.
From Old Man and the Sea, by Hemingway, Ernest, Scribner’s, 1995. Copyright Gale Group.

 “Low” diction refers to informal language, especially slang or colloquial speech. Magazine

blurbs, casual social media posts, and texts to friends are all examples of this level of diction. 
 The language of everyday use. It is relaxed and conversational. It often includes common and
simple words, idioms, slang, jargon, and contractions.

Example:

Three quarts of milk. That’s what was in that icebox yesterday. Three whole quarts. Now they
ain’t none. Not a drop. I don’t mind folks comin’ in and getting’ what they want, but three quarts
of milk! What the devil does anybody need with three quarts of milk?
Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. Copyright 1970 by Toni Morrison.

Types of Diction

1. Formal diction
Formal diction uses the proper definitions of words in a mostly serious tone. This is the style of
workplaces, schools, and other formal environments. Formal language doesn’t take any risks and can
come across as bland or boring, but for the sake of clarity, it’s the best choice when speaking to strangers
or authority figures.
Example of formal diction:
Respectfully, I must disagree.

2. Informal diction
Informal diction is the opposite of formal diction; it involves the playful use of words, including jokes
and wordplay. Informal diction is the way you talk to the people closest to you, as opposed to strangers or
work colleagues. It’s best in casual situations, but it can sound out of place in serious situations.
Example of informal diction:
No way, that’s not true at all.
3. Pedantic diction
Pedantic diction uses an excessive amount of academic or “big” words as if the speaker is trying to prove
how smart they are. Pedantic diction comes across as arrogant in real life, but it’s nonetheless useful as a
writing tool. In the fictional dialogue, it can show that a character is overly concerned with appearing
intelligent or sophisticated, as with Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby.
Example of pedantic diction:
In examination of your stance, I have identified some critical errors that I will now expound on.
 4. Pedestrian diction
Pedestrian diction is considered the opposite of pedantic; instead of trying to sound smart, it’s trying to
sound normal or common. Pedestrian diction, which doesn’t use fancy words or slang, is thought to be
how regular people talk. It’s the type of diction used by politicians when speaking to diverse crowds or
by people with technical knowledge when explaining something to people without that knowledge.
Example of pedestrian diction:
I understand what you’re saying, but there’s something very important that you’re missing.
5. Slang
Diction with slang, an extension of informal diction, encompasses words and phrases that only a
particular type of person understands. Slang is often divided by generation, such as “sussy,” used by Gen
Z, and “nifty,” used by baby boomers. Slang can also encompass business jargon, which is slang that’s
understood only by people in a certain profession or trade.
Example of slang diction:
You’re full of it!
6. Colloquial diction
Similar to slang, colloquial diction refers to specific words or phrases used in particular geographical
locations. For example, people in the Northeast and on the West Coast of the US use the word “soda,”
those in the Northwest and Midwest say “pop,” and those in the Deep South use “coke” as a generic term.
All three words mean the same thing but reflect the language of a specific region. Colloquial diction also
includes special expressions that are popular only in certain areas.
Colloquial diction can also represent dialects of a language, such as the Argentine dialect Rioplatense
Spanish, whose grammar rules and pronunciation differ from those of proper Spanish.
Example of colloquial diction:
Sounds like you’ve loaded the wrong wagon.
7. Abstract diction
Abstract diction refers to discussing something intangible, like an idea or emotion. It’s hard to put
abstract thoughts into words, so abstract diction often comes across as vague or ambiguous.
Example of abstract diction:
What you said doesn’t feel right.
8. Concrete diction
The opposite of abstract diction is concrete diction, which uses specific and direct language with minimal
ambiguity. Concrete diction describes things as they are, adhering to the proper definitions of words and
citing only the facts.
Example of concrete diction:
I understand that you believe you are correct, but you are missing a necessary piece of information.
9. Poetic diction
Poetic diction makes use of rhymes, rhythm, and phonetics to make words sound pleasing together.
While it’s out of place in everyday speech and writing, it’s a necessary element of many creative outlets
such as poetry, song lyrics, rap, and to some extent speech writing.
Example of poetic diction:
What a foolish and ignorant thing you just said
Hear my rebuttal and your cheeks will burn red
Answer the following:
1. Why is diction important to a writer?
2. What is the purpose of diction in knowing your audience?
3. What is the importance of vocabulary to diction?

Activity 2:
Find at least 3 samples of the following types of diction.
1. Formal Diction
2. Informal Diction
3. Pedantic Diction
4. Pedestrian Diction
5. Slang
6. Colloquial Diction
7. Abstract Diction
8. Concrete Diction
9. Poetic Diction