Definition and Examples of Diction in English

In rhetoric and composition, diction is the choice and use of words in speech or writing. Also called  word choice.In phonology and phonetics, diction is a way of speaking, usually judged in terms of prevailing standards of pronunciation and elocution. Also called enunciation and articulation. Etymology From the Latin, to say, speak Example The principal meaning of diction is the selection and use of words or the manner of expression. But this fact does not rule out, as some purists would like to do, the companion meaning of mode of speaking or enunciation.(Theodore Bernstein, Miss Thistlebottoms Hobgoblins, 1971) Concrete and Abstract Diction Concrete and abstract diction need each other. Concrete diction illustrates and anchors the generalizations that abstract diction expresses. . . . The best writing integrates concrete and abstract diction, the language of showing and the language of telling (explaining).(David Rosenwasser and Jill Stephen, Writing Analytically, 6th ed. Wadsworth, 2012) Diction and Audience Diction will be effective only when the words you choose are appropriate for the audience and purpose,  when they convey your message accurately and comfortably. The idea of comfort may seem out of place in connection with diction, but, in fact, words can sometimes cause the reader to feel uncomfortable. Youve probably experienced such feelings yourself as a listener--hearing a speaker whose words for one reason or another strike you as inappropriate.(Martha Kolln, Rhetorical Grammar. Allyn and Bacon, 1999) Levels of Language Sometimes diction is described in terms of four levels of language: (1) formal, as in serious discourse; (2)  informal, as in relaxed but polite conversation; (3) colloquial, as in everyday usage; (4)  slang, as in impolite and newly coined words. It is generally agreed that the qualities of proper diction are appropriateness, correctness, and accuracy. A distinction is usually made between diction, which refers to the choice of words, and style, which refers to the manner in which the words are used.(Jack Myers and Don Charles Wukasch, Dictionary of Poetic Terms. University of North Texas Press, 2003) Small Surprises Your diction, the exact words you choose and the settings in which you use them, means a great deal to the success of your writing. While your language should be appropriate to the situation, that generally still leaves plenty of room for variety. Skillful writers mix general and particular, abstract and concrete, long and short, learned and commonplace, connotative and neutral words to administer a series of small but telling surprises. Readers stay interested because they dont know exactly whats coming next.(Joe Glaser, Understanding Style: Practical Ways to Improve Your Writing. Oxford University  Press, 1999)Note the placing of the single low word in [Dwight]  Macdonald’s brilliantly high-flown definition of the academic prose that had already begun to jam the college libraries: The amount of verbal pomposity, elaboration of the obvious, repetition, trivia, low-grade statistics, tedious factification, drudging recapitulations of the half-comprehended, and generally inane and laborious junk that one encounters suggests that the thinkers of earlier ages had one decisive advantage over those of today: they could draw on very little research. The low word, of course, is  junk. But it helps to light up a bravura sentence full of useful noncolloquial phrases:  drudging recapitulations of the half-comprehended  is a permanently good definition of the danger posed by college courses without standards, and  low-grade statistics  has the merit of starting another discussion altogether.(Clive James, Style Is the Man. The Atlantic, May 2012) Exactness, Appropriateness, and Accuracy Word choice and usage come under the heading of diction. Some people seem to think that when it comes to word choice, bigger is always better. But using a word just because it is big is a bad idea. Youre better off using words for their exactness, appropriateness, and accuracy than for their size. The only time a bigger word is a better choice is when it is more accurate. In any case, the final decision to use this word over that should be based on the audience for whom youre writing.(Anthony C. Winkler and Jo Ray Metherell, Writing the Research Paper: A Handbook, 8th ed. Wadsworth, 2012) Weasel Words One of our defects as a nation is a tendency to use what have been called weasel words. When a weasel sucks eggs the meat is sucked out of the egg. If you use a weasel word after another, there is nothing left of the other.(Theodore Roosevelt, 1916) T.S. Eliot on Words Words strain,Crack and sometimes break, under the burden,Under the tension, slip, slide, perish,Decay with imprecision, will not stay in place,Will not stay still.(T.S. Eliot, Burnt Norton) Pronunciation: DIK-shun

A Corporate Situation That Could Disturb Managers in the Company Research Paper

Essays on A Corporate Situation That Could Disturb Managers in the Company Research Paper The paper "A Corporate Situation That Could Disturb Managers in the Company" is an excellent example of a research paper on management. The research aims at enhancing and identifying a corporate situation that could disturb managers in the company. One of the situations that were identified and analyzed in this report is the implementation of corporate social responsibility. Most managers face a rough time in implementing corporate social responsibility. The challenging situation is deciding the type of the responsibility to implement, and training the parties who will be responsible for implementing it.In order to supplement the wealth of research that already exists in this domain with a more practical approach on how to implement corporate social responsibility; I interviewed our main competitors in the market and the randomly collected people from the community. The information collected has been used to compile this report.IntroductionIn my capacity as a manager, I have dealt wi th the most difficult situation in my company. The most challenging situations I faced were deciding the relevant corporate social responsibility to adopt. It is essential for every company to have social corporate responsibility because it is a way of returning services to the community. However, the situation of deciding the type to adopt can be a great challenge for various managers.Challenges Facing ImplementationThe primary challenging situation in the implementation process is when the managers are about to decide the kind of corporate social responsibility to adopt. This is because the existing types of corporate social responsibility are essential for the company. According to Schwartz (2011), the success of the company entirely depends on the corporate social responsibility a company has involved itself in. However, there are various factors that contribute to the success of the company.Scientific managers such as Frederick Taylor believe that corporate social responsibilit y improves the company’s performance. This is because the company will position itself well in the market. The company image is essential because it acts as a marketing tool for the company. It is, therefore, advisable for the company to ensure that they adopt effective strategies to ensure that they position themselves well in the market.Some of the various types of corporate social responsibilities comprise of the following:Environmental ResponsibilityHuman Rights ResponsibilitiesFinancial ResponsibilityPolitical ResponsibilityMarket SituationImplementation of corporate social responsibilities will help the company boost its marketability. The current market condition is good for the company. This is because the market size is large with many potential buyers. Market research indicates that the company is enjoying the high speed to market because of the ready market which is available. Other factors that emerged are that the company was enjoying the uniqueness of offer beca use the company is an effective issue of differentiation.

A Study Of Catholicism Essay Research Paper free essay sample

A Study Of Catholicism Essay, Research Paper When # 8220 ; Catholic # 8221 ; is used as an adjective, it means cosmopolitan, unfastened or general. I have read art magazines and reappraisals that have described certain art aggregations as # 8220 ; catholic in its uniqueness. # 8221 ; The fact that Catholicism has its root in the word # 8220 ; Catholic # 8221 ; is non a happenstance. In his essay # 8220 ; Catholicism: A Synthesis, # 8221 ; Richard McBrien says that it is this impression that distinguishes Catholicism from other faiths, Christian and non. The impression is that Catholicism is a faith that is based on open-mindedness. McBrien alludes to flags to clearly specify his thesis. Many flags of the universe portion the same three colourss. He uses the colourss red, white, and blue. The flags for Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cuba, and France all portion the same three colourss, yet they are non configured the same manner. The flag of the United States has fifty stars and the Gallic flag has three midst bars of colour. We will write a custom essay sample on A Study Of Catholicism Essay Research Paper or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It is in this manner that McBrien relates the flags of the universe to Catholicism. The Catholic Church is distinguished from other Christian faiths by the constellation of its patterns and features. One case that I read about in the intelligence late was about a immature miss in England who became pregnant. The miss went to her church and told her priest. The priest so referred the miss to the Cardinal of that country. The twelve-year-old miss comes from a household that can hardly afford nutrient and apparels, allow alone back up a new kid. Abortion was evidently non even an issue in this instance. The clergy decided it would be best to utilize church money and support this miss in her gestation. This shows openness on the portion of the Catholic Church because they could hold shunned this 12 twelvemonth old miss, and ignor ed her supplications for aid. However, they decided to take a hazard and assist her. An case in which the church is non so unfastened has to make with homosexualism. I know that the Catholic Church embracings good causes, and happening a remedy for AIDS is one. I know of Catholic churches that hold fundraising events, consciousness seminars and advance AIDS benefits. There is such a thick bed of lip service in this illustration. The church refuses to admit homophiles as human existences, yet the homosexual community is hit really difficult by the AIDS epidemic. How can they encompass the AIDS cause, yet denounce homosexualism. This is merely one case of non-openness in the Catholic Church. # 8220 ; Christian pragmatism # 8221 ; is critical thought in the context of the Catholic Church. Realists take world in the context in which it is in history. Christian pragmatism is based on the contexualist mentality on life. # 8220 ; # 8230 ; Christianity itself is mediated by significance, # 8221 ; says McBrien. McBrien makes a good point when he says, # 8220 ; Christian pragmatism besides rejects the impression that clear and distinguishable thoughts # 8230 ; are tantamount to the existent itself. # 8221 ; Ideas are neer based on entirely one thing. That is what is so great about Christian pragmatism. It incorporates the thought of openness into determination devising. Critical pragmatism is used in every facet of the Church. Nothing goes undisputed, whether it is # 8221 ; philosophies, tenet or canonical directives. # 8221 ; Richard McBrien makes some good points in his essay, # 8220 ; Catholicism: A Synthesis. # 8221 ; He made the reader aware of how open the Catholic church truly is. He besides makes us cognizant of Christian pragmatism and how it works in association the Catholic Church. He clearly defines his thesis, that the Catholic Church is defined by the constellation of its features.

The Power of a Female Relationship in the Color Purple Essay Example

The Power of a Female Relationship in the Color Purple Paper The Power of a Female Relationship In the book The Color Purple, Alice Walker shows us different themes in the book. The one theme that stood out the most was the relationship between the sisters and friends that met along the way. Reading this book I have seen different types of relationships such as, motherly, sisterly, and also womanly. Walker refers to the relationship between Cecile and Nettie as a motherly relationship because when Cecile’s mother dies she feels that she has to step in and take care of what her mother did. Therefore; when Celie was pregnant Nettie was always there for her even when her father took Celie’s kids away. In the article The Parent Trap they used the fatherly role so it still fits the same way if it was a mother. This article says â€Å"regardless of age or gender the oldest child is responsible for playing the role of a mother/farther†. For example the child in the article was an 8 year old boy who had to take the role of his father, because the father had left them. So in his mind he was the Man of the house and had to look over his siblings and also help his mom out. We will write a custom essay sample on The Power of a Female Relationship in the Color Purple specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Power of a Female Relationship in the Color Purple specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Power of a Female Relationship in the Color Purple specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer However, Walker shows us a similar instance with Celie; she was only 15 when her mother passed away, therefore; she had to take upon the role of the mother now which was to cook, clean, and take care of her siblings/ children. â€Å"Especially important for the formulation of Walker’s political themes are the novel’s portrayals of the dyadic female bonds that Celie forms with Nettie, Shug, and Sofia. They lead not only to Celies personal growth but also to the formation of a female solidarity network. It is this network of female friends that wages a strong challenge to racist patriarchal domination. It offers the sexually and racially oppressed woman an alternative to basing her identity solely on her familial relationships and provides the support she needs to take action against abuse and discrimination. † ( Hollinger, 1998, Pg 179) As for the relationship between Cecile and Nettie there is also a sisterly relationship. Cecile is the big sister to Nettie; she is more of the protector. When their father was trying to get to Nettie, Celie was always there for her sister to protect her from harm and that nasty man of a ather. Because Nettie was the more attractive one Celie knew that many older men wanted to marry her or have her so she was always there for her sister. While Nettie was the one who helped Cecile read and write. Nettie was the one that went to school and learned while Celie was at home taking care of the house and the children because their mother past away. Both were more like children then adults when together because they were running around, playing, acti ng like children that they are. Even when Mister separated Cecile and Nettie they still had that sisterly bond when separated. Cecile knew that Nettie would never let her down; she was the main reason for keeping Cecile sane, and alive. From Essortment, their definition of a sisterly relationship would always have a feeling that Nettie wrote letters. This is relationship is â€Å"to flourish throughout adulthood, but like any other relationship it needs care and attention. It is easy to let other priorities get in the way, but maintaining your friendship with your sister is just as important. As Essortment states about the friendship between sisters and how it is just as important as a sisterly relationship; there are friendship relationships between Celie, Shug Avery and, Sofia. Friendship is as MWOLK blog defines it a â€Å"True friendship, perhaps is the only relation which survives the tribulations and trials of time as well as remains unconditional. For different people definition of friendship may vary, ho wever it can be most often described as a unique amalgamation of much fun, trust, respect, love and loyalty. Some of the usual traits of friendship can be strong attachments mutual respect and similar interests are what, most of the friends share with one another. There is a famous definition of friendship by Aristotle â€Å"A single soul dwelling in two bodies†, which states a sense of emotional safety and comfort among the two individuals. † My interpretation of friendship is someone who is always there and understands you. Someone that is there for you through thick and thin and someone that does not go behind your back an disown you. Even thou Women are exploited very seriously, especially Celie, who is married off to Albert to look after his children and is expected to work on the farm and submit without objection to all of Alberts demands and those of the children. She is also meant to accept Alberts affair with Shug Avery, which extends even to him sleeping with her under the same roof. Therefore; Shug Avery gave Celie the most trust, respect and loyalty. She gave her confidence and realized how much Celie is a major part of everything that goes on. Surprisingly, Celie and Shug develop an intimate relationship. More than anyone, Shugs influential presence and acceptance give Celie the strength she needs to redefine herself, take charge of her life, and leave Albert. Shug is a necessary angel who sings her way into the hearts and lives of The Color Purples downtrodden women, the impact of her arrival subtle but immense in the complexities of each characters development. The women in The Color Purple are bound despite their differences, in a form of fractellite sorority and from the moment Shug touches Celies life, each woman in turn grows and gains strength from the experiences of the former. I believe the catalystic moment in the series of change is when Shug sings the song that Miss Celie scratched out of her head when she was sick (Walker, 1995, p. 65). Celie feels loved for the first time since her sister Nettie was taken away from her. It is beautiful and maternal, the relationship that Celie shares with Shug. She nurtures the broken Celie until she heals of her past hurts and finds strength instead of weakness in her identity as a woman. However, the relationship between Celie and Sofia was that Sofia showed her how to be a confident woman and be able to think for herself rather then what others think of her. However, while Sofia was in jail working in the laundry room she understood how Celie had survived all the beating, by just doin what she was told and never talked back. From that Sofia was able to survive while she was in jail, so from then on Sofia kind of looked up to Celie. However; when Sofia became a white woman’s maid and was unable to gather things like she use to. Celie was there to help her out showing Sofia that there is someone out there that cares and is willing to help. In conclusion friendship is of a connection between two people that have things in common, and are helpful and caring to one another. As for Celie, Nettie, Shug Avery, and Sofia there are different types of friendship between these ladies and as they live there lives that bond that they have still lives on. They still have each others back and are still communicating.