Diction Terms Flashcards
Abstract
Definition: word that signifies a general and intangible concept, idea, or condition.
Ex: liberty, beauty, freedom
Function: With such general terms writers leave interpretation to the reader that best suits him/her. This personalizes the argument.
Archaism
Definition: an old fashioned word or expression that is no longer used commonly.
Ex: Gee! This day is really swell.
Function: Authors may invoke an earlier time period (or poke fun at it.)`
Concrete
Definition: word that specifies what is tangible or something we can know with one of the five senses.
Ex: table, salt, frozen
Connotation
Definition: the implied or understood meaning of a word and its association.
Denotation
Definition: the literal or dictionary definition or a word.
Ex: walk, stroll, and stride all mean about the same thing. However, stroll connotes a leisurely pace while stride connotes a brisk, purposeful pace.
Function: Allows for manipulation of meaning according to associations a specific audience brings to the situation.
Colloquialism
Definition: words and phrases in casual conversation, often particular to a geographic region.
Ex: That test was wicked hard… It was embarrassing when my phone kept blowing up in the middle of the movie.
Function: Create a casual and conversational tone. Often used when the author want his audience to count him/her as one of their own.
Euphemism
Definition: substitution of a more agreeable or polite word for one that sounds negative or offensive.
Ex: Climate change in place of global warming
Function: Soften a message or detract from a negative aspect.
Jargon
Definition: specialized language of a professional, occupational, or other group.
Ex: When executing key understanding by design principles as defined by Wiggins and McTighe, the teacher decided to focus on D-quadrant learning activities. (In front of an audience of teachers, this makes sense, whereas discussing this at a class assembly would be jargon.)
Function: Audience is key. If used in a seemingly inappropriate context, the author may be attempting satire.
Neologism
Example: a recently invented phrase or word.
Ex: After I tweeted about the recent bad weather, I googled tomorrow’s forecast.
Function: Establishes author as current.
Portmanteau
Definition: the combination of two or more words into one.
Ex: fog+smoke=smog
Function: clarify/labels concepts, adds wit to writing.
Pun
Definition: a play on words to suggest two meanings associated with just one word.
Function: to suggest more than one meaning/quality for critique, humor, etc.
