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Word choice

Word choice. word choice, diction, connotation. 1C & 1D. AUTHOR’S WORD CHOICE. Denotation and Connotation (5.1) Formal vs. Informal Language -Slang and Idioms (5.2) Effect of Word Choice- Diction (5.3) Purpose of Word Choice- Author’s Purpose (5.4). Denotation and Connotation.

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Word choice

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  1. Word choice word choice, diction, connotation 1C & 1D

  2. AUTHOR’S WORD CHOICE • Denotation and Connotation (5.1) • Formal vs. Informal Language -Slang and Idioms (5.2) • Effect of Word Choice- Diction (5.3) • Purpose of Word Choice- Author’s Purpose (5.4)

  3. Denotation and Connotation • Denotation is the literal or dictionary meaning of a word. • Connotation is the idea or feeling implied by a word in addition to its literal meaning. • An author chooses his words verycarefully to achieve a desired purpose.

  4. Childish vs. Childlike ~ Denotation they both mean of or like a child or childhood ~ Connotation childlike: having innocent, trusting characteristics of a child (positive connotation) childish: being immature (negative connotation) TIP~ think of the negative and positive connotation of some words

  5. Practice • Consider the following sentences. • I heard my brother talking on the phone with his girlfriend. • I heard my brother chatting on the phone with his girlfriend. How does the connotation of the word chatting in the second sentence convey the author’s purpose? HINT: What does the author what you to feel about the conversation? * Practice 134 & 135

  6. Formal vs. Informal Language • FormalLanguage - language usually used in speeches, reports, essays, and most other nonfiction writing. • Informal Language - everyday language that may include slang or idioms.

  7. Examples • Hello, Mr. Smith. How are you today? • Dude. Sup? • Hey! How’s it going? • Formal greeting • Informal greeting • Neutral or slightly informal

  8. Slang and Idioms (informal) • Slang - very informal words or expressions, such as yakking, bad meaning good, ain’t, and you rock! • Idioms-informal expressions or phrases that can’t be taken literally, such as “head over heels in love.” • This is also a type of figurative language. *Practice 136 & 137

  9. Diction • Is an author’s choice of words and the author’s use of those words. • An author’s diction could be • Formal or informal • Technical or non-technical • Descriptive or general • Humorous or serious • Positive or negative • Optimistic or pessimistic • Dialect – the language of the geographic area (example – Ana’s Story – Spanish)

  10. Impact of replacing words • Tedious • Hate • Waiting • Disregard • Forget • Aggravating • Exciting • Love • Anticipating • Appreciate • Realize • Relaxing PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT ** 138-142

  11. Author’s purpose • A writer’s reason for writing; can include reasons for using words and phrases. • An author always has a general reason for writing, such as to explain, to entertain, to inform, etc., but an author also has a reason for using specific words, phrases, or even titles. • Ask yourself, “What does the author want me to understand by including a specific word, phrase or title?” Practice 143-145

  12. Possible test questions • By including the phrase “intensity and excitement,” what does the author want to express to the reader? • Does the author use the phrase sent on a mission support the purpose of the paragraph? • What does the author emphasize by selecting the title, “Tennessee Williams, Mississippi’s Playwright”?

  13. Possible test questions • What effect does replacing the italicized words with the word concerns have on this paragraph? • What effect did replacing the italicized words have on the revised paragraph? • How does the diction in the revised excerpt affect the author’s purpose? • How does the diction in the revised paragraph support the author’s purpose?

  14. Words to know • Formal, emotional, descriptive, emphatic • Omit, distract, non-essential, concise, distract, emphasize • Vivid, image, clarifies, reinforces, isolated • Anxious, intensity • Uncertainty, theme • General, objective, descriptive • Contradicts, minimizes, irritation, motive • Restrictions, competitive

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