Common Critical Vocabulary

1
Common Critical Vocabulary

• Literary, Rhetorical,
• Style Syntax Terms
• Jennifer Bennett
• Sanderson High School
• WCPSS, Raleigh, NC

2
Diction

• Word choice
• Most obvious indicator of tone (attitude)
• Choose words carefully, considering
• Purpose
• Audience
• Occasion

3
Denotation

• the literal meaning of a word
• a words dictionary definition
• ex Nazi
• A member of the German Socialist political party
  during the 1930s and 1940s.

4
Connotation

• The ideas, attitudes, and feelings surrounding a
  word
• A words emotional baggage
• Note the word baggage itself connotes something
  heavy and cumbersome a burdenmostly negative
  connotations
• Ex. Nazi
• Brutality, genocide, ash and smoke from the
  ovens, piles of picked-through luggage, cattle
  cars gas chambers emaciated prisoners

5
Practice!

• For each of the following pairs of words,
  determine their relationship, both denotative and
  connotative
• Skinny/slender
• Swing/lurch
• Plump/obese
• Meat/flesh
• Father/Daddy

6
Levels of Diction

• Ceremonial
• Formal
• Informal
• Slang
• Consider vocabulary, usage, and syntax in
  determining level of diction

7
Syntax

• Word orderthe purposeful way in which a writer
  arranges words and sentences
• Sentence structures, types, orders, kinds

8
Ceremonial Level of Diction

• Some archaic vocabularyhighly formal
• Syntaxoften uses highly complex sentence
  structures
• Purposeto create a particular atmosphere that
  impresses upon others the import of the occasion
• Occasionhighly formal weddings, funerals,
  inaugurations, graduations

9
Formal Level of Diction

• Vocabulary words labeled form. in a
  dictionary vocabulary is large maturewords
  are specificspeak to the nuances of meanings
• Syntax often more complex sentence
  structureslengths and types of sentences chosen
  for their specific effects on the audience and
  the work as a whole
• Occasions scholarly essays, papers, research,
  speeches, letters of a business nature, resumes
• Audience those in authorityprincipals,
  senators, bosses (respect) those who are
  well-educated

10
Informal Level of Diction

• Vocabulary smaller pool of words from which to
  choose mostly words labeled inf. in a
  dictionary
• Syntax often less purposeful than formal
  writing mostly medium length and simple
  structures
• Purpose/occasion vocab. creates a more familiar,
  relaxed atmosphere
• Audience classroom discussion, informal letters
  to family (not the notes you write in class!)

11
Slang Level of Diction

• Vocabulary quite small riddled with words
  labeled sl. in a dictionary, considered
  non-standard English
• Syntax non-standardfragments, run-ons,
  non-standard spellings and punctuation mostly
  short sentences.
• Purpose, Occasion, Audience casual situations,
  i.e. notes to friends, casual conversations,
  certain genres of song lyrics, texting iming