literary analysis: diction & syntax literal vs. figurative denotation vs. connotation

LITERARY ANALYSIS:Diction & Syntax

Literal vs. Figurative

Denotation vs. Connotation

Diction refers to the author‘s choice of words. The perfect word is clear, concrete, and exact. In other words, it says exactly what you want it to say, is specific, and creates just the picture you see in your mind. •A character doesn‘t just look for something; she rummages, strains, observes or glares. An author doesn’t “show” or “use” an author “illustrates”, “ignites”, and “creates”Adjectives, Adverbs, Verbs•A thesaurus is one of the best tools.

DICTION

DICTION & SYNTAX

•Slang refers to a group of recently coined words often used in informal situations. Slang words often come and go quickly, passing in and out of usage within months or years.

•Colloquial expressions are nonstandard, often regional, ways of using language appropriate to informal or conversational speech and writing. The characteristic ―ayah‖ of the Maine resident or the southern word ―y‘all‖ are examples.

•Jargon consists of words and expressions characteristic of a particular trade, profession, or pursuit.

•Dialect Is a nonstandard subgroup of a language with its own vocabulary and grammatical features. Writers often use regional dialect or dialects that reveal a person‘s economic or social class.

TYPES OF DICTION

DICTION & SYNTAX

Literal Diction Uses words in their ordinary senses. It is the opposite of figurative language. If you tell someone on a diving board to jump in, you speak literally. If you tell someone on the street to “go jump in a lake” or to “take a long walk, off a short pier” you are speaking figuratively.

DICTION & SYNTAX

Figurative Diction Writing or speech not meant to be

interpreted literally. It is often used to create vivid impressions by setting comparisons between dissimilar things. Some frequently used figures of speech are metaphors, similes, and personifications.

DICTION & SYNTAX

Literal or Figurative? Kelsey didn’t feel it was too much to ask

that David replace the DVD that he borrowed then scratched, but David claimed it wasn’t his fault.

Chris stood in front of the cotton candy booth, watching as the delicate, silky strands of sugar were spun into a cloud and then captured unto a paper cone.

DICTION & SYNTAX

Idioms An idiom is a combination of words that

has a figurative meaning owing to its common usage. An idiom's figurative meaning is separate from the literal meaning. There are thousands of idioms and they occur frequently in all languages. There are estimated to be at least twenty-five thousand idiomatic expressions in the English language.

DICTION & SYNTAX

Lets Play a Quick KAHOOT Game….

See how many idioms you can translate into their literal meaning….

GOOD LUCK!

and “may the force be with you” ( :

https://play.kahoot.it/ - /k/a9d7d7c2-b8b5-4cd0-b244-cc9c5d08a096

DICTION & SYNTAX

Denotation vs. Connotation

DICTION & SYNTAX

Denotation The denotation of a word is its dictionary definition, independent of other associations that the word may have. The denotation of the word “monkey”, for example, is hairy primate with opposable thumbs. “Silly” and “playing around” are connotations of the words.Denotative Language can be described as literal, exact, journalistic, and straightforward.

DICTION & SYNTAX

Connotation The connotation of a word is the

set of ideas associated with it in addition to it’s explicit meaning.

Words can have one of three connotations:Positive (+) Negative (-) or Neutral

DICTION & SYNTAX

Connotative LanguageConnotative Language can be described as:

Poetic Lyrical Figurative

Symbolic Metaphoric Obscure

Sensuous Grotesque Picturesque

DICTION & SYNTAX

Let’s look at all these words that can mean “tired” and see what connotation they might have….

tuckered fatigued spent haggard bushed droopy

In what context might you use them? Why?

DICTION & SYNTAX

Topic Sentence Frames for Diction Analysis: In (title) writes in (level of

Connotation) (level of Formality) style. His/Her use of (connotation vocab) and (level of formality vocab) language (achieves the purpose of…..)

In “Heart of Darkness, Joseph Conrad writes in a highly connotative formal style. His use of abstract, poetic and ornate language establishes existential themes of fate and meaniniglessness.

DICTION & SYNTAX

Diction: Levels of FormalityHigh, Formal Style Cultured Pedantic

AcademicLearned OrnatePretentious ElegantArchaic FloweryScholarly Bombastic

Middle, Neutral Style

Unadorned Common Plain DetachedSimpleOrdinary

Low, Informal Style

Abrupt SlangTerse JargonLaconic ColloquialVulgar

DICTION & SYNTAX

habiliment –attire- dress -clothes -get-up- threads •Formal- free of slang, idioms, colloquialisms, and contractions. Elegant language, complex syntax. •Neutral- standard language and vocab without elaborate words and may include contractions. •Informal- language of everyday use. It is relaxed and conversational. Includes common and simple words, idioms, slang, jargon and contractions.

FORMAL INFORMAL

DICTION & SYNTAX

Diction: Connotative VocabDenotative Language Literal

ExactJournalisticStraightforwardConcrete

Connotative Language Poetic LyricalFigurative SymbolicMetaphoric ObscureSensuous GrotesquePicturesque abstract

DICTION & SYNTAX

Other Sentences Frames: The connotative power of “________”

(specific word from text) evokes a feeling of ____________________

The author establishes ______________ through using _____________ diction, words like “_______” and “_______” create ______

The author appeals to the emotions of the audience when……

The author makes the audience __________ when…………..

DICTION & SYNTAX

Use LEAD Analysis StrategyLEAD—To Analyze Diction Low or informal diction (dialect, slang,

jargon) Elevated language or formal diction

(textbook writing) Abstract or concrete diction Denotation and connotation

L-E-A-D Analysis

DICTION & SYNTAX

Syntax =

Sentence Structure:The way that words are

organized.

DICTION & SYNTAX

Categories of Syntax: Sentences can be:Loose, periodic, or balanced

Loose sentence = makes sensebefore the ending is reachedPeriodic sentence = doesn’t make

sense until the ending is reachedSimple, compound, complex, or

compound-complexStatements, questions, commands, or

exclamationsRhetorical questions

DICTION & SYNTAX

*Short sentences are almost always abrupt, intense, and confrontational. They force a sudden stop in thinking.

*Long sentences, on the other hand, are more thoughtful and permit or require reflection.

SIGNIFICANCE IN WRITING:

DICTION & SYNTAX

1. Choose the word in each group that has the most “romantic” connotation:

Horse, nag, or steed King, ruler, tyrant, or autocrat China or Cathay Crow, sparrow, nightingale or catbird Kiss, osculate, buss Pittsburgh, Buckingham, Podunk Spy or Secret Agent

Denotation/Connotation PRACTICE

DICTION & SYNTAX

2. Which word in each group is most emotionally connotative?

Offspring, children, kids, progeny Brother, sibling Companion, friend, colleague, buddy Mom, mama, mommy, mother, ma Partner, husband, love, better half,

significant other


DICTION & SYNTAX

3. Which word in each group has the most favorable connotation?

Skinny, thin, slender, scrawny Old-fashioned, out-of-date, obsolete Dwarfish, elfin, pigmy Small, little, petite Prosperous, rich, moneyed, opulent Scribble, write, indite Brainy, intelligent, smart Famous or notorious


DICTION & SYNTAX

4. Which of these would you be least offended by?

Having acted foolishly or having acted like a fool

Arrogant, conceited, proud, confident or stuck-up

Dumb, stupid, ignorant, simple-minded


DICTION & SYNTAX

“It’s odd the little things that come to your mind at times of utmost stress, the flashes of deep__1___ you feel for people who are really not at the center of tragedy. I heard a Secret Service man say in the most ___2___voice-and I hurt for him: “We never lost a President in the Service.” Then, Police Chief Curry of Dallas came on the plane and said, “Ms. Kennedy, believe me, we did everything we possibly could.” That must have been ___3___moment for him…….

Mrs. Kennedy’s dress was stained with blood…..Somehow that was one of the most____4___sights-that immaculate woman__5 __ dressed, and caked in blood.

I asked her if I couldn’t get someone in to help her change…..And then with almost an element of fierceness-if a person that gentle, that___6____, can be said to have such a quality-she said, “I want them to see what they have done to Jack.”

-A White House Diary by Lady Bird Johnson

1. Which word best completes the sentence? emotion, sensation, feeling or compassion


DICTION & SYNTAX





2. Which word best completes the sentence? sad, desolate, unhappy, or melancholy


DICTION & SYNTAX





3. Which word best completes the sentence? an uncomfortable, a difficult, an agonizing, a tough


DICTION & SYNTAX





4. Which word best completes the sentence? memorable, striking, poignant, or painful


DICTION & SYNTAX





5. Which word best completes the sentence? well, finely, nicely or exquisitely


DICTION & SYNTAX





6. Which word best completes the sentence? controlled, unruffled, dignified or calm


DICTION & SYNTAX

literary analysis: diction & syntax literal vs. figurative denotation vs. connotation

Documents

combination of words

coined words

slang words

diction syntaxlets

idioms figurative meaning

word monkey

perfect word

literal meaning