Diction

1. Defining Diction with Examples

Diction refers to the choice and use of words and phrases in writing or speech. It plays a crucial role in conveying the writer’s tone, style, and intended message. Here are examples of formal and informal diction from one of the stories:

In the story “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson:

• Formal Diction: “Good morning, everyone! I hope you’re all well today.”
• Informal Diction: “Hey, guys! How’s everyone doing today?”

The formal diction example uses polite and professional language, while the informal diction example employs a casual and conversational tone.

2. Understanding Tone with an Example

Tone refers to the attitude or emotion conveyed by the writer towards the subject or audience. It sets the overall atmosphere of the piece. Let’s examine the tone of the story “The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant:

The tone in “The Necklace” is primarily one of irony and bitterness. The author’s use of words and phrases, such as “she was the prettiest of them all” or “the shabbiness of her clothes,” suggests a sarcastic and critical tone. The story’s tone conveys a sense of dissatisfaction and resentment towards the protagonist’s pursuit of social status and material possessions.

3. Defining Denotation with an Example

Denotation refers to the literal or dictionary definition of a word, without any added emotional or cultural connotations. Here’s an example of denotation:

Word: “Home” Denotation: A place where one lives, a residence.

In this example, “home” simply refers to the physical place where someone lives, devoid of any emotional attachments or personal interpretations.

4. Defining Connotation with an Example

Connotation refers to the emotional or cultural associations that a word carries, in addition to its literal meaning. Here’s an example of connotation:

Word: “Snake” Connotation: Deceitful, dangerous, evil.

The connotation of the word “snake” suggests negative qualities associated with deceit or danger, often found in literature and cultural references.

5. Imagery Describing the Grandmother in Parker’s “Snapping Beans”

In Parker’s “Snapping Beans,” the following imagery is used to describe the grandmother:

“… she seemed to have permanently entered the slow and darkening world of old age, leaving behind the bright and bustling world of her youth.”

This imagery paints a vivid picture of the grandmother’s decline into old age. The contrasting words “slow and darkening” versus “bright and bustling” evoke a sense of loss and the passage of time, emphasizing the grandmother’s physical and mental decline.

6. Diction Describing the Difficulties of the Father’s Life in Hayden’s “Those Winter Sundays”

In “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden, the author uses specific diction to describe the difficulties of the father’s life. Here are some examples:

• “Cracked hands that ached from labor in the weekday weather”
• “No one ever thanked him”
• “Banked fires blaze.”

These phrases utilize diction that conveys a sense of physical labor, sacrifice, and unacknowledged efforts. The choice of words like “cracked,” “ached,” and “blaze” evoke the harshness of the father’s life and the burdens he carries.

7. The Tone of Updike’s “Dog’s Death”

The tone in Updike’s “Dog’s Death” can be described as reflective and mournful. The author’s use of gentle and sorrowful language throughout the story creates an atmosphere of sadness and loss. The narrator’s recollection of the dog’s final moments and the emotional impact it has on the family contribute to the overall tone of grief and lamentation.

8. Understanding Personification in “Poetry Should Ride The Bus”

Personification is a literary device that attributes human qualities or characteristics to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. In “Poetry Should Ride The Bus” by Ruth Forman, personification is used to give life to poetry. For example, the lines “Poetry should be riding the bus, running down the street” personify poetry by depicting it as an active entity, capable of movement and action like a human being. This personification emphasizes the idea that poetry should be accessible and integrated into everyday life.

9. The Theme of “Poetry Should Ride The Bus”

The theme of “Poetry Should Ride The Bus” is the importance of making poetry accessible and relatable to everyday experiences. The poem argues that poetry should not be confined to the realm of the elite or academia but should instead be present in the ordinary lives of people. It emphasizes the idea that poetry has the power to connect individuals to their emotions, experiences, and the world around them.