What is diction (literary device)? Definition and examples

What is diction?

Diction is the phrasing and word choice that someone makes when writing. In other words, it's the individual choice of words that shapes the voice and style of your prose.

A writer's diction, especially if their diction is unique, is how you can pick up a book and tell right away who the author is.

If a friend forgot their lunch one day, I might call them a "silly goose" while their colleagues might call them "disorganised" or "unlucky". Each of these terms shapes how a reader will interpret the situation and how they perceive the people speaking as well as the person being spoken about. Diction is therefore a powerful tool writers can use to mould stories and convey messages in engaging, persuasive ways.

Common types of diction

Formal

Formal diction is used for formal communication, such as essays and business, and sticks to grammatically correct word usage.

For example:

  • Furthermore, the study showed that editors are integral to the publishing process.

Informal

Informal diction uses conversational and casual language. Informal diction can bend the rules of grammar and word usage.

For example:

  • Seriously, that's not cool.

Slang

Slang is a type of informal diction that is used by a particular group of people, such as young people or football fans.

For example:

  • I yeeted my phone into the pool.

Colloquial

While slang is used by a particular group of people, colloquial diction is used by people in a specific geographical location. For example, people in America may refer to the main storage compartment of a car as the trunk while in Australia this is referred to as the boot.

For example:

  • What's in the trunk of your car?

Poetic

Poetic diction uses rhythm and rhyme to create visually and acoustically pleasing sentences.

For example:

  • Waves washed against broken shores.

Concrete

Concrete diction uses direct language with little ambiguity to describe things as they are. This means that concrete diction will use the correct definition of words rather than using slang or words for poetic value.

For example:

  • I contemplated if I should move to Ireland or stay in Canada.

Abstract

Abstract diction is the opposite of concrete diction and is used to express intangible concepts such as ideas and emotions.

For example:

  • I was torn between following my heart and listening to my mind.

Pedantic

Pedantic diction embraces "smart-sounding" words, such as academic and detailed language.

For example:

  • On the seventh of July at one minute past noon, I observed a canine engaging in the act of sterilising its hind paws.

Pedestrian

Pedestrian diction avoids unusual or slang words and is used to sound "normal" or "common".

For example:

  • I saw a dog licking its paws the other day.

How to use diction in fiction writing

The good news is you already use diction in your writing! The simple act of writing is creating diction.

To use diction to improve your writing, I encourage you to be aware of the kind of diction your writing style naturally adopts and adapt it to the needs of your characters and their unique perspectives.

Diction is a powerful tool to ensure your readers are absorbing information in the way you want them to.

A story told from the point of view of a rigid university professor might adopt pedantic or formal diction. On the other hand, a relaxed university student might use informal or slang diction, and a tortured artist might use poetic or abstract diction.

Conclusion

Diction is a literary device which refers to the linguistic choices made when writing. This means that when you write, you create your own diction. To ensure your diction enhances your writing, draw on your characters' unique points of view and ensure their diction matches their personality.

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