Formal and informal diction

Full Answer Section

  is an example of formal diction from the story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson:

"It was towards the end of June, and the village was preparing for the lottery."

Here is an example of informal diction from the story "Snapping Beans" by Dorothy Parker:

"She was a little old lady with a face like a withered apple."

2. Tone is the attitude or feeling that a writer or speaker expresses in their work. It can be conveyed through the diction, imagery, and structure of the writing. For example, the tone of "The Lottery" is dark and ominous, while the tone of "Snapping Beans" is humorous and ironic.
3. Denotation is the literal meaning of a word. For example, the denotation of the word "house" is a building that people live in.

Here is an example of denotation from the story "The Lottery":

"The black box grew slowly larger."

The word "black" has a literal meaning of being the absence of light. In this context, the word "black" is used to describe the color of the box, but it also has a symbolic meaning of death.

4. Connotation is the emotional or associative meaning of a word. It is the meaning that is implied by the word, but not explicitly stated. For example, the word "house" has a connotation of safety and security.

Here is an example of connotation from the story "Snapping Beans":

"She was a little old lady with a face like a withered apple."

The word "withered" has a connotation of decay and death. In this context, the word "withered" is used to describe the grandmother's face, but it also has a symbolic meaning of her declining health.

5. Imagery is the use of figurative language to create a sensory experience for the reader. It can be used to describe sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings. For example, the story "Snapping Beans" uses imagery to describe the grandmother's appearance:

"She was a little old lady with a face like a withered apple."

The word "withered" is a simile that compares the grandmother's face to an apple that has dried up. This imagery creates a visual image of the grandmother's face that is both accurate and evocative.

Sample Solution

 

1. Diction is the choice of words used in writing or speech. It can be formal or informal, depending on the context. For example, the diction in a legal document would be formal, while the diction in a conversation between friends would be informal.