A Writer’s Diction: How it is Used by Master Writers

The easiest way to remember what Diction means it to compare it with Dictionary. Dictionaries are filled with words English speaking people use, while Diction is the set of words a writer chooses to use over others in his work. Diction is the writer’s own, internal dictionary; the words he uses to craft his poetry or prose.

But diction itself has more than one meaning. Knowing the different meanings and how they help and hurt your work will make you a much better writer than before.

Diction is certainly the words a writer uses, but it is also how the writer uses those words. If you look at great writers, you can see patterns in the words they use. One may use the word “fire” while another may use “flame.” The difference is in their diction; they choose which words will work best for a given topic, tone, or mood.

If a writer is a modernist, he will use “fire” more often than flame. If he is a romanticist, he’ll use “flame” more often.

Good writers choose words that fit best with the meaning they are trying to present to the reader. Verbal diction is speaking clearly, concisely, as opposed to mumbling and not letting the listener actually listen.

Diction in writing (poetry or stories) is the same, and the writer must choose carefully what words he uses. Hot” and “spicy” may both work, but “hot” has two meanings, a literal one and a figurative one (the food could be spicy, or literally hot). “Spicy” always means the same thing (that the food is spicy). Good writers spot the subtle intricacies of words and use them to their advantage.

Diction also sets the stage for a work to be formal or informal. Writer may use eloquent words to sound professional and classy, and conversely, use small, simple words when writing informally.

Diction sets the tone of the work. “Mad” and “raging” are examples of different tone. If you’re mad, a reader will interpret your mood differently than if you say you’re raging. If I say I’m mad, you may ask who hurt me…but if I say I’m raging, you’ll undoubtedly back away.

Diction directly effects syntax and word usage. Northerners say “pop” while southerners say “soda.” A writer’s location and the words he hears often seep into his writing frequently.

Talented writers will look at all of these aspects of diction and use them as they need to, leaving out words that won’t fit the subject or mood, and adding or exchanging words that will promote their meaning or temperament. Writers will also choose the right words to fit the audience they write for-choosing to write simple words if writing for young children.

There is nothing random about a professional writer’s diction, nor is it a gift given by the writing gods, but something-like most everything else when it comes to writing-that practice will make perfect.