Diction

1
Diction

• Words, Words, Words

2
Levels of Diction

• Formal
• Informal
• Colloquial
• Slang
• Jargon
• Euphemism

3
Formal Diction

• No contractions
• Longer sentences, paragraphs
• Multi-syllabic Diction
• One . . . His/her
• Reports, Research Papers, Insurance Polices,
  Wills, Student Code

4
Informal Diction

• Contractions O.K.
• I, Me, My
• Shorter Paragraphs
• Fragments (sometimes for effect).
• Newspaper Writing
• Letters to Friends, Essays for English 2

5
Colloquial Diction

• Regional/Geographical Vocabulary and Phrasing
• West Virginia
• Poke/Bag
• Pop/Soda
• Thuse
• Pittsburghese Dawntahn, Giant Iggle, Imp n
  Ahrn, Mum, Red up, Chipchop Ham, Jumbo, Gumbans
• Japanese Arigatoo/Okini, Zsu-zsu ben

6
Slang

• School
• African-American
• Vaasa/Gen X
• Fifties
• Chat Room

Cram, Ace, All-Nighter, Brown-nose
Cheesin, The Hawks Out, Word, the Dozens,
MackDaddy, Gettin Your Groove On,
Da House, Sup/Waddup, Phat, Da Bomb, Rulez,
Kewl
Beanies, Panty Raids, Ivy League Pants, Virgin
Pins, Bobbysox, Penny Loafers
Flame, Poof, Perv, ROFL, LOL, BRB, LMFAO,
Emoticons, Ref, Refmon, Geek, DC, Dork
7
Jargon

• Computer
• WYSIWYG, Crash, Boot, Sniffer, Download, Backup,
  ISP, Ping, Port
• Prostitutes
• Johns, Pimps, Tricks
• Ohio State University Advisors
• CED, UVC, CRT, CAPS, IUTs, GBC, GAAs
• Hospitals
• Stat, ER, Code Red, ICU, Flatline, Out-patient

8
Euphemisms

• Death
• Kick the Bucket, Go to the Great Beyond, Push up
  Daises, Expire, Pass Away
• Puke
• Vomit, Throw Up, Regurgitate, Upchcuck
• Fart
• Break Wind, Be Flatulent, Pass Gas

9
Rhetorical Devices

• Alliteration
• Products, Prevarication, the Public
• Tricolon
• Of the people, by the people, for the people
• Antithesis
• We, the living and the dead