Refine your writing! Word choice can be a deal-breaker if your writing is lame and trite. Use connotations to increase your word power!

1. Choosing the
Right Words
Diction and Connotations
Sharon Elin / CCPS Online revised 2012

2. Think of words as
superheroes.

3. Think of words as
superheroes.
They appear ordinary most of
the time, but they have
hidden powers.

4. What is Diction?

5. What is Diction?
The selection of the
most precise words and
phrases that express a
message correctly,
clearly, and effectively.

6. Diction includes…

7. Diction includes…
Grammar

8. Diction includes…
Grammar
Vocabulary

9. Diction includes…
Grammar
Vocabulary
Sounds of words

10. Diction includes…
Grammar
Vocabulary
Sounds of words
Tones or attitudes of words

11. Diction includes…
Grammar
Vocabulary
Sounds of words
Tones or attitudes of words
Meanings of words

12. Diction
includes making
choices, such as …

13. Diction
includes making
choices, such as …
Active or Passive

14. Diction
includes making
choices, such as …
Active or Passive
Slang or Standard

15. Diction
includes making
choices, such as …
Active or Passive
Slang or Standard
Formal or Casual

16. Diction
includes making
choices, such as …
Active or Passive
Slang or Standard
Formal or Casual
Simple or Complex

17. Diction
includes making
choices, such as …
Active or Passive
Slang or Standard
Formal or Casual
Simple or Complex
Abstract or Concrete

18. Diction
includes making
choices, such as …
Active or Passive
Slang or Standard
Formal or Casual
Simple or Complex
Abstract or Concrete
Connotative or Denotative

19. Why is diction
important?

20. Why is diction
important?
"Your diction, the exact words you choose and the settings in
which you use them, means a great deal to the success of
your writing…”

21. Why is diction
important?
"Your diction, the exact words you choose and the settings in
which you use them, means a great deal to the success of
your writing…”
“While your language should be appropriate to the
situation, that generally still leaves plenty of room for
variety…”

22. Why is diction
important?
"Your diction, the exact words you choose and the settings in
which you use them, means a great deal to the success of
your writing…”
“While your language should be appropriate to the situation,
that generally still leaves plenty of room for variety…”
“Skillful writers mix words to administer a series of small but
telling surprises...”

23. Why is diction
important?
"Your diction, the exact words you choose and the settings in
which you use them, means a great deal to the success of
your writing…”
“While your language should be appropriate to the
situation, that generally still leaves plenty of room for
variety…”
“Skillful writers mix words to administer a series of small but
telling surprises...”
“Readers stay interested because they don't know exactly
what's coming next.”
(Joe Glaser, Understanding Style: Practical Ways to Improve Your Writing. Oxford Univ.
Press, 1999)

24. Expand your
vocabulary to
improve your diction

26. Just as skilled artists need
a palette of many colors,
writers need a
wide variety of words …

27. … and writers need to
harness the power of
certain words to influence
readers in subtle, but
powerful ways.

28. Understanding the art of
using gives
writers a persuasive edge.

29. Connotation vs.
Denotation

30. Connotation vs.
Denotation
- The exact,
literal meaning of a word
- The unspoken,
hidden meaning that gives a word
more emotional impact

31. Connotation vs.
Denotation
- The exact,
literal meaning of a word
“The family sat together in front
of a fire.”
The or literal interpretation of =
nearly hot (actual temperature)

32. Connotation vs.
Denotation
- The
unspoken, hidden meaning that
gives a word more emotional impact
“The family sat together in front
of a fire.”
The or figurative interpretation
of = comforting; friendly (mood/tone)

33. Connotations
• A gives the reader
or listener a distinct impression or
feeling, calling on emotion rather
than fact.
• Through their connotations, words
set a tone and can reveal hidden
opinions, attitudes, or judgments.

34. Connotations
In the following examples,
notice how synonyms have
slightly different meanings,
revealing a variety of
connotations.

35. Mrs. Darcy knows the
answers to questions
no one else can answer.

36. Mrs. Darcy knows the
answers to questions
no one else can answer.
She might be called
informed.

37. Mrs. Darcy knows the
answers to questions
no one else can answer.
She might be called
confident.

38. Mrs. Darcy knows the
answers to questions
no one else can answer.
She might be called
conceited.

39. Mrs. Darcy knows the
answers to questions
no one else can answer.
informed
confident
conceited
Which of these words has
a neutral connotation and
merely states a fact,
without opinions or
judgment?

40. Mrs. Darcy knows the
answers to questions
no one else can answer.
informed
Which of these words has
a neutral connotation and
merely states a fact,
without opinions or
judgment?

41. Mrs. Darcy knows the
answers to questions
no one else can answer.
informed
confident
conceited
Which of these words has
a positive connotation
and could be considered
a compliment?

42. Mrs. Darcy knows the
answers to questions
no one else can answer.
confident
Which of these words has
a positive connotation
and could be considered
a compliment?

43. Mrs. Darcy knows the
answers to questions
no one else can answer.
informed
confident
conceited
Which of these words has
a negative connotation
and could be taken as
criticism?

44. Mrs. Darcy knows the
answers to questions
no one else can answer.
conceited
Which of these words has
a negative connotation
and could be taken as
criticism?

45. Home, House,
or Residence?
Which word connotes
comfort and security?

46. Home, House,
or Residence?
Which word connotes
comfort and security?
Home

47. Home, House,
or Residence?
Which word connotes
a formal or legal tone?

48. Home, House,
or Residence?
Which word connotes
a formal or legal tone?
Residence

49. Home, House,
or Residence?
Which word connotes
an impersonal structure?

50. Home, House,
or Residence?
Which word connotes
an impersonal structure?
House

51. Thin, Skinny,
Slender, or
Scrawny?
Which word has no
connotation and
simply denotes a
neutral description?

52. Thin, Skinny,
Slender, or
Scrawny?
Which word has no
connotation and
simply denotes a
neutral description?
Thin

53. Thin, Skinny,
Slender, or
Scrawny?
Which word connotes a
desirable or
admirable trait?

54. Thin, Skinny,
Slender, or
Scrawny?
Which word connotes a
desirable or
admirable trait?
Slender

55. Thin, Skinny,
Slender, or
Scrawny?
Which word connotes
an extreme insult
implying weakness?

56. Thin, Skinny,
Slender, or
Scrawny?
Which word connotes
an extreme insult
implying weakness?
Scrawny

57. Thin, Skinny,
Slender, or
Scrawny?
Which word connotes a
slight insult about
being underweight?

58. Thin, Skinny,
Slender, or
Scrawny?
Which word connotes a
slight insult about
being underweight?
Skinny

59. Connotations
Try it on your own!
Here are more examples showing
how synonyms describing the same
thing can have different meanings.
The differences are subtle, yet the
words have suggestive, persuasive
powers that will influence readers.

60. lazy or relaxed?
Which word has a
connotation of criticism?

61. juicy or greasy?
Which word has a
tastier connotation?

62. victim or loser?
Which word has a more
sympathetic connotation?

63. Review…

64. What does this
definition refer to?
The selection of the
most precise words and
phrases that express a
message correctly,
clearly, and effectively.

65. What does this
definition refer to?
The selection of the
most precise words and
phrases that express a
message correctly,
clearly, and effectively.
Diction

66. Remember the
difference?

67. - The exact,
literal meaning of a word
- The unspoken,
hidden meaning that gives a word
more emotional impact

68. Choosing the best words:
Pay attention to your diction,

69. Choosing the best words:
Pay attention to your diction,
grow your vocabulary,

70. Choosing the best words:
Pay attention to your diction,
grow your vocabulary,
and
use the power of connotations

71. Thanks for
watching
viewing
examining
considering
analyzing
exploring!