Diction~

Question 1

Denotation

Answer 1

Definition:
the literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests
Example #1:
The boy was pushy. (He was literally pushing people)
Example #2:
‘Hollywood’ connotes such things as glitz, glamor, tinsel, celebrity, and dreams of stardom

Question 2

Connotation

Answer 2

Definition:
an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning
Example #1:
A red rose symbolizes love and desire.
Example #2:
“She’s feeling blue.”

Question 3

Colloquial

Answer 3

Definition:
(of language) used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary
Example #1:
Using the term “y’all” to people.
Example #2:
Referring to a professor or teacher using their first name instead of using “Mister” or “Miss”

Question 4

Formal

Answer 4

Definition:
done in accordance with rules of convention or etiquette; suitable for or constituting an official or important situation or occasion
Example #1:
Responding to teachers with honorifics like “Good Morning Mr. Smith!” instead of “What’s up Bryan.”
Example #2:
In church, respond to someone like “Sister” or “Brother” instead of using their name.

Question 5

Informal

Answer 5

Definition:
having a relaxed, friendly, or unofficial style, manner, or nature
Example #1:
Using casual clothes like a hoodie and sweatpants.
Example #2:
“Hey how’s it going?”

Question 6

Metonymy

Answer 6

Definition:
the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant
Example #1:
Referring to the President of the United States or their administration as “the White House”.
Example #2:
Heart, to refer to love or emotion.

Question 7

Monosyllabic

Answer 7

Definition:
(of a word or utterance) consisting of one syllable.
Example #1:
Yes.
Example #2:
No.

Question 8

Polysyllabic

Answer 8

Definition:
(of a word) having more than one syllable.
Example #1:
Strawberry
Example #2:
Tonight

Question 9

Contrastive

Answer 9

Definition:
the state of being strikingly different from something else in juxtaposition or close association
Example #1:
Black is the opposite of white, and so there’s a contrast between black ink and white paper.
Example #2:
Noticing the difference between a panda and red panda.

Question 10

Concrete

Answer 10

Definition:
language that describes specific, observable things, people, or places, rather than ideas or qualities
Example #1:
The burnt toast. 
Example #2:
The smooth butter.

Question 11

Abstract

Answer 11

Definition:
language that describes concepts rather than concrete images
Example #1:
When they retired Dawes seemed abstract, thinking of something.
Example #2:
She managed to find some meaning in his struggling, abstract speeches.

Question 12

Ambiguous

Answer 12

Definition:
(of language) open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning
Example #1:
“I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed meeting your husband.”
Example #2:
I have never tasted a cake quite like that one before! (Was the cake good or bad?)