Ms.

Massey, October 2014

Outfits of Words: Learning the Importance and Effects of Diction

“With Jordan’s slender golden arm resting on mine, we descended the steps and sauntered
about the garden. A tray of cocktails floated at us through the twilight, and we sat down at a
table with the two girls in yellow and three men, each one introduced to us as Mr. Mumble.”
(The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, pg. 43)

Please write down a few of your first impressions of this text. Bear in mind that we are reading
this from Nick’s perspective. How does Nick feel about Jordan?

Now, please highlight a few words or phrases that stick out to you that help explain why Nick
feels this way. What is he saying that suggests he feels that way?

With consideration to the words you just highlighted, what would be some adjectives to describe
the overall effect of the words that Nick is saying? (What words would you use to describe the
“word outfit” that is created?)

**

Now, pick one of those words that you think fits the text the most and fill in the following
sentence discussing Nick’s diction:

Nick’s ________________ diction in the text excerpt clearly conveys his

____________ feelings about his evening at the party with Jordan.

Please explain why that affect is achieved through Nick’s diction. For now, just pick one
word/phrase to discuss. To do this, first, circle whether you are discussing a word or a phrase,
and then go on to explain how it conveys Nick’s feelings. Then, think about what ideas that
word/phrase that diction brings to the discussion, and list those ideas that the reader may have.
 Ms. Massey, October 2014

Nick feels ___________________ about the party that night with Jordan. One
(word/phrase) that contributes to Nick’s ___________ diction is ________________.

This (word/phrase) causes the reader to think of

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

or

This (word/phrase) helps the reader understand Nick’s feelings because

__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

This ___________diction works together with the subject that Nick is discussing to help the
reader understand that Nick feels ____________ at Gatsby’s party with Jordan.

Overall, diction choices are meant to allow the readers to be better transported into the story
with the character or to see a subject the way an author or narrator wants it to be seen.

Keep this in mind as you read more texts because you will better understand how an author
understands a subject and why they want you to see that subject portrayed in a certain way!