Name:_______________________ Yr.&Sc.

______________ Subject: Creative Non-Fiction

Teacher: Arnel G. Boholst Contact No. 09555585599 Email: arnelgaye117@gmail.com
Quarter 1 Subject: Creative Non-Fiction Module: 1
Lesson: Diction
Content Standard: The learners have an understanding of imagery, diction, figures of
speech, and variations on language
Performance Standard: The learners shall be able to produce short paragraphs or
vignettes using imagery, diction, figures of speech, and specific experiences
Competency (Code): The learners use imagery, diction, figures of speech, and specific
experiences (HUMSS_CW/MP11/12-Ia-b-4)

Objectives: 1. Familiarize oneself with the diction and its characteristics;

2. Demonstrate understanding about the characteristics of diction through
analyzing and relating one’s own experiences with the local poems; and
3. Apply the concepts of diction through writing meaningful texts.
Activities (Read-Me-More)
Read the following letter then analyze its style, the language or diction used and the level of
formality. “Excuse Letter ng Mother ni Bekimon”
“Ex Dear Teacheret,
Kamustasa kalabasa? Keri ka lang ba? Bet kong italak sayez na witit makakajosok sa
skulembang si junakis ngayonchi.
Rarampage si atashi now at bet kong kajoin force si bebemon.Ispluk ni junakis na may periodical
examinelya silachina. Sana ay givlakan mo itey ng bonggang bonggang espesyalinda examinelya.

Trulibels,

Mudrakels
Other Suggested Activities
LET’S TRY IT. This awesome idea is from Carol Elsen from an AP Summer Institute.
1. The author's name
2. plus an adjective
(such as sophisticated, varied, inventive, sparkling, effective, carefully crafted, flashy, folksy,
colloquial).
Use a different adjective for each sentence.
3. plus the term "diction"
4. plus a strong verb
(such as: demonstrates, creates, emphasizes, generates, fulfills)
5. plus the function of the word choices (what those choices do for the piece)
6. plus at least two examples
Example:
Andrist's snazzy diction recreates the dynamic personality of General
Key point
Diction can be defined as style of speaking or writing determined by the choice of
words by a speaker or a writer.
Diction or choice of words separates good writing from bad writing. It depends on a number of
factors. Firstly, the word has to be right and accurate. Secondly, words should be appropriate to the context in
which they are used. Lastly, the choice of words should be such that the listener or readers understand easily.
Besides, proper diction or proper choice of words is important to get the message across. On the contrary, the
wrong choice of words can easily divert listeners or readers which results in misinterpretation of the message
intended to be conveyed.
Types of Diction
Individuals vary their diction depending on different contexts and settings. Therefore, we come across
various types of diction. It may be “formal” where formal words are used in formal situations e.g. press
conferences, presentations etc. Similarly, we use “informal” diction in informal situations like writing or
talking to our friends. Moreover, a “colloquial” diction uses words common in everyday speech. “Slang” is
the use of words that are impolite or newly coined.
Diction Examples in Literature
Depending on the topics at hand, writers tend to vary their diction. Let us see some examples of
diction in literature:
Example #1
Keats in his “Ode to the Grecian Urn” uses formal diction to achieve a certain effect. He goes:

“Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard

Are sweeter: therefore, ye soft pipes, play on”
Notice the use of formal “ye” instead of informal “you”. The formality here is due to the respect the urn inspires
in Keats. In the same poem he says:
“Ah, happy, happy boughs! that cannot shed Your leaves, nor ever bid the spring adieu.”
It is more formal to use “adieu” than to say “goodbye”.
Example #2
In sharp contrast to Keats, John Donne uses colloquialism in his poem “The Sun Rising”:

“Busy old fool, unruly Sun, Why dost thou thus,

Through windows, and through curtains, call on us?
Must to thy motions lovers’ seasons run?
Saucy pedantic wretch,”
Treating the sun as a real human being, the poet speaks to the sun in an informal way using
colloquial expressions. He rebukes the sun because the sun has appeared to spoil the good time he
is having with his beloved. Further, he orders the “saucy pedantic sun” to go away.
Example #3
Writers’ skillfully choose words to develop a certain tone and atmosphere in their works. Read the following
excerpt from a short story “The School” by Donald Barthelme:
“And the trees all died. They were orange trees. I don’t know why they died, they just died.
Something wrong with the soil possibly or maybe the stuff we got from the nursery wasn’t the best. We
complained about it. So we’ve got thirty kids there, each kid had his or her own little tree to plant and we’ve
got these thirty dead trees. All these kids looking at these little brown sticks, it was depressing.”
The use of the words “died”, “dead”, “brown sticks” and “depressing” gives a gloomy tone to the
passage.
Example #4
Sometimes writers repeat their chosen words or phrases to achieve an artistic effect. Read the
following example from “ A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of
foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the
season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

By repeating the phrase “It was…” throughout the passage, the writer ensures that the readers will give more
consideration to characteristic of the “age” they are going to read about in the novel.
Activity No. 2
Analyze the following pictures of the classroom situations. Describe each in 2-3 sentences considering
the diction.
 Function of Diction
In literature, writers choose words to create and convey a typical mood, tone and atmosphere to their
readers. A writer’s choice of words and his selection of graphic words not only affects the reader’s attitude but
also conveys the writer’s feelings toward the literary work. Moreover, poetry is known for its unique diction
that separates it from prose. Usually, a poetic diction is marked by the use of figures of speech, rhyming words
etc.
Think of three words and write the words in formal, informal, and slang diction. An example is given as your
guide.

Formal Informal Colloquial/Slang

Diction Diction Diction
Money Cash Bucks
Write an essay employing the figurative language discussed earlier. Use informal diction in your essay.
Choose from the following suggested subjects or topics:
1. Riding on a jeepney
2. Going to church
3. Attending a party
4. Swimming on a beach
5. Watching your favorite movie
6. Reading your favorite novel
7. Eating your favorite dish
8. Listening to your favorite song
9. Preparing your favorite dish
1. Visiting a new place

LESSON REFLECTION. . .