What is word choice in communication

Word choice is an essential component of any sort of writing, particularly content writing. Choosing exact phrases can assist you in making a greater effect on your audience. The finest writing paints a clear image in the imagination of the reader. You may produce a captivating message by appealing to one or more of your reader’s senses. For example, you could use color to attract attention or provide context-related information, like the time of day or the location. The sound of your voice can also influence your readers. You can use inflection to emphasize certain words, which helps them be understood correctly.

There are many different types of words used in language that have different meanings and functions. Some are useful for making sentences longer and more complex, while others are necessary for being accurate and clear. Knowing how to use these words properly can help you create effective messages.

Table of Contents

  1. Why is word choice important?
  2. How does the choice of words affect the message?
  3. What does word choice mean in writing?
  4. What does word choice mean in reading?
  5. How does word choice affect communication?
  6. What is a «purposeful word choice?»?
  7. Why is word choice so important in diction?

How does the choice of words affect the message?

For example, you could use sensory language to describe something that is beautiful or ugly, such as «a beauty salon.»

Sensory language can help make your writing more interesting to read. These words are important for getting your message across because they can really add flavor to your writing.

Other words that can be used to create a sense of beauty or ugliness include awesome, amazing, fantastic, wonderful, great, superb, shameful, disgusting, pathetic, and absurd.

These are just some examples; you should try to use all five senses when describing something. This will make your writing more interesting to read and also allow it to have a greater impact on your audience.

What does word choice mean in writing?

Definition Word choice is the use of rich, colorful, precise language that communicates in a way that moves and enlightens the reader, not only in a practical way. Strong word choice builds pictures in the reader’s head in effective descriptive writing. Weak word choice is often called flowery writing or clichéd writing.

In general, you should select words that accurately describe what you want to convey. You should also avoid using too many adjectives or adverbs, which can make your writing sound vague or overly sentimental. Finally, try not to use too many nouns or verbs, as this can also cause problems for your readers. For example, if you use the verb «to be» several times in one sentence, then you should probably change something about the structure of the sentence to help it flow better.

The most effective writers choose specific details over general descriptions, and natural objects over man-made ones. They know that although the world is full of amazing things, their readers’ eyes are going to be drawn to certain aspects more than others, so they try to include these specifics in their writing. For example, instead of saying that my apartment has red walls, yellow floors, and green shutters, someone who is good at describing spaces would say that the living room has red walls, the kitchen has yellow floors, and there are green shutters on the windows.

What does word choice mean in reading?

The exact language used by the writer to communicate meaning and educate the reader is referred to as word choice. Word choice is the use of rich, colorful, precise language that communicates in a way that moves and enlightens the reader, not only in a practical way. For example, if I were to write «John hit Mary» instead of «John smacked Mary», you would know who did what to whom even without reading further. This is because the first sentence clearly states that it is John who has hit his wife, while the second suggests that it was perhaps her brother who had done so.

Word choice is important for several reasons. First of all, it helps readers understand what the author is trying to say even before they read the whole sentence or paragraph. For example, if an author uses simple words like «they» and «their» when referring to two people, it can be assumed that these are siblings. If another word such as «father» or «mother» is used instead, this indicates that there are other members of the family named John living at this address. Simple words also help readers connect with the author’s experience and express ideas effectively. For example, if an author uses the word «such» when discussing something, this usually means that others have said or felt the same thing and it is time to move on to new topics.

How does word choice affect communication?

The selection of words is a vital aspect of any communication. The manner of expression is determined by the words used. In general, a person picks phrases that make him feel at ease, confident, and easy enough for a wide audience to grasp. Careful word choice can keep a speaker focused on his message while avoiding using words that may be offensive or vague.

Word choice is closely related to grammar. Both words and sentences are made up of parts. Using correct parts of speech helps clarify a message and avoids confusing readers with incorrect use of language. For example, if you want to express that you are happy that your friend has arrived home safely, then you should say «I was glad to hear that Jack had returned home safe and sound.» This sentence uses the right form of the verb «to be» along with the present simple tense, which indicates a moment-by-moment action taking place now. Without these forms, the sentence would mean something different like «I was always glad to hear that Jack had returned home safe and sound.» Here, the word «glad» has been used incorrectly. You can see that without knowing it, the writer had intended to say that he was always happy to hear about Jack’s return, but due to careless usage of words, this meaning is not conveyed properly to others.

Words have power. They can make you seem intelligent, important, and enthusiastic about what you are saying.

What is a «purposeful word choice?»?

Purposeful word choice in persuasive writing leads the reader to a fresh picture of concepts. Strong word choice is defined less by outstanding language selected to dazzle the reader and more by the ability to use everyday words skillfully. While this may seem like a subtle distinction, it makes all the difference when it comes to influencing others.

The choice of words in any piece of writing is very important because they can either make or break a message. Using appropriate words will help readers understand your meaning better and connect with you as a writer, but using incorrect words will only confuse them and have the opposite effect.

Word choice is how we express our ideas through language. It allows us to create pictures in the minds of our readers and to influence their emotions by choosing words that match the tone of our messages.

Now, this message has several problems. First of all, it’s too long. The sentence structure is also confusing. Finally, there are words that don’t belong — «small» and «large». These adjectives should be used to describe objects, not people.

Why is word choice so important in diction?

When it comes to diction, word choice is crucial. It distinguishes between excellent and terrible writing. There are four important elements to consider while selecting your words. You must verify that your writing is error-free. Writing concisely entails using as few words as possible while maintaining meaning. This can be accomplished by use fewer nouns and more verbs. Avoid colloquial language when writing for a professional audience. Use formal language instead. This shows that you take your job seriously and are trying to be accurate.

Next, choose your words carefully because they can completely change the meaning of a sentence. For example, «to be or not to be» can be interpreted as either a question or statement. «I am tired» and «You are tired» have different meanings despite saying the same thing. «He lives next door to me» and «We live next door to each other» have different implications despite containing the same words.

Finally, vary your word choices to avoid boredom in reading. If everything sounds the same, then there’s nothing new to learn from your text. Vary your nouns and verbs to keep your reader interested.

About Article Author

Rene Zaiser

Rene Zaiser is a freelance writer who loves to share his thoughts on various topics. He has several years of experience in the industry, which he uses to provide high-quality content that helps people achieve their goals.

Word choice is an important part of any type of writing-especially content writing. Selecting precise words will help you increase the impact you create on your audience. The best writing creates a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. By appealing to one or more of your reader’s senses, you create a compelling message.

What is the effect of word choice?

An author’s choice of wording can have an impact on the mood or tone of a given piece of writing. In addition to making the writing increasingly sophisticated, word choice can cause the reader to have certain feelings or personal connections with the text.

Why is language and word choice important?

Why is language and word choice important? – Language and word choice is important because your word and phrases convey a message to your audience and how they will influence how they perceive the message of your speech.

What are the types of word choice?

There are eight common types of diction:

  • Formal diction. Formal diction is the use of sophisticated language, without slang or colloquialisms.
  • Informal diction.
  • Pedantic diction.
  • Colloquial diction.
  • Slang diction.
  • Abstract diction.
  • Concrete diction.
  • Poetic diction.

What is the significance of using diction in writing?

The selection of words in a literary work. A work’s diction forms one of its centrally important literary elements, as writers use words to convey action, reveal character, imply attitudes, identify themes, and suggest values.6 วันที่ผ่านมา

How do you improve the way you speak?

Here are ten ways to improve the way you speak:

  1. Read aloud to yourself, every day.
  2. Note and memorise any new words.
  3. Speak at a moderate pace.
  4. Speak slightly louder than the average.
  5. Speak using the lower-end of your voice range.
  6. Never swear, or use profane language.
  7. Actively study to expand your vocabulary.
  8. Enunciate!

Why is it important to speak with confidence?

You’ll communicate more effectively: Confidence allows you to speak concisely and with clarity. Professionals who communicate with confidence can convey what they want to their clients and co-workers in a clear and efficient manner. Effective communication is critically important for career advancement.

How do I stop mumbling and speaking clearly?

5 Ways To Stop Mumbling!

  1. 1 – Train your mouth muscles. One tool to speak more clearly is to train your mouth muscles so that you enunciate better.
  2. 2 – The power of intention. Set your eyes on whatever is three metres in front of you right now.
  3. 3 – Practice tongue twisters.
  4. 4 – Tongue warm-ups.
  5. 5 – Use a mantra to boost your confidence.

What is the word for speaking clearly?

articulate. verbsay clearly, coherently. enunciate.

Here are 6 ways you can help elevate your words through diction in writing.

  1. Watch Out for Words that Sound the Same.
  2. Aim for Active Voice Over Passive Voice.
  3. Be Wary of Synonyms.
  4. Clarify Pronouns.
  5. Limit Overly Technical Terms.
  6. Reduce the Use of Fluff.
  7. Effective Word Choice in Writing: Conclusions.

What is word choice in writing?

‘Word Choice” in writing is the usage of effective and precise language that conveys information not just in a functional way, but also to enlighten the reader.

How do I select a word choice?

Word Selection for Composition

  1. Choose understandable words.
  2. Use specific, precise words.
  3. Choose strong words.
  4. Emphasize positive words.
  5. Avoid overused words.
  6. Avoid obsolete words.

How important is word choice?

All strong writers have something in common: they understand the value of word choice in writing. Strong word choice uses vocabulary and language to maximum effect, creating clear moods and images and making your stories and poems more powerful and vivid.

What is word choice in communication?

A word choice is an important part of any communication. It is a manner in which something is expressed in words. The choice of words is the style of expression. A person, in general, chooses words to which he feels comfortable, confident, and simple enough for a general audience to understand.

Why is word choice so important?

Word choice is an important part of any type of writing-especially content writing. Selecting precise words will help you increase the impact you create on your audience. The best writing creates a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. By appealing to one or more of your reader’s senses, you create a compelling message.

How does word choice affect meaning?

Word choice affects the tone, imagery, and voice of a written piece. Just as you use your tone of voice to demonstrate to others how you feel, in writing you use your words to communicate your attitude toward a subject. Tone can be positive or negative, happy or sad, angry or peaceful, hopeful or desperate, and so on.

What is a powerful statement?

The state of being acceptable or officially true; the statement that is powerful to convince someone something is right.

Why is word choice important in communication?

What is diction in grammar?

Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms 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.

Which is the most powerful nation in the world?

The United States
#1: USA: The United States has held the position of the world’s most-powerful country since at least the early 20th century….These factors are:

  • Economic Power.
  • Demographic Power.
  • Military Power.
  • Environmental and Resource Power.
  • Political Power.
  • Cultural Power.
  • Technological Power.

Table of Contents

  1. How do you explain word choices?
  2. What is the purpose of word choice?
  3. How does word choice affect the reader?
  4. How does word choice help us understand how our characters are feeling?
  5. How does diction or word choice affect tone and meaning?
  6. What will happen if proper diction is not observed?
  7. How do I change my writing tone?
  8. Why is word choice important in communication?
  9. What are word choice examples?
  10. What is choice of words called?
  11. Why is it good to be careful in our choice of words?
  12. What should you be careful of when speaking to someone?
  13. What God says about our words?
  14. What does the Bible say about our mouths?
  15. Why is the tongue powerful?
  16. What does James say about the tongue?
  17. Who said the tongue is mightier than the sword?
  18. What does the Bible say about the power of the tongue?
  19. How can we tame the tongue?
  20. What God says about taming the tongue?
  21. How can I control my mouth when talking?
  22. How can I control my mouth when angry?

Word choice affects the tone, imagery, and voice of a written piece. Just as you use your tone of voice to demonstrate to others how you feel, in writing you use your words to communicate your attitude toward a subject. Tone can be positive or negative, happy or sad, angry or peaceful, hopeful or desperate, and so on.

How do you explain word choices?

Word Choice refers to the specific vocabulary the writer uses to convey meaning and enlighten the reader. Word Choice is the use of rich, colorful, precise language that communicates not just in a functional way, but in a way that moves and enlightens the reader.

What is the purpose of word choice?

Word choice is an essential element of writing. Writers use vocabulary to portray a message that is specific, engaging and free flowing (Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory). The correct word choice can improve the quality of writing by making the message clear, specific, and meaningful.

How does word choice affect the reader?

Through precise word selection, you can increase the clarity of your argument by enabling your readers to grasp your intended meaning quickly and accurately. At the same time, it is important to keep in mind that your word choices affect a reader’s attitudes toward your presentation and your subject matter.

How does word choice help us understand how our characters are feeling?

The exact words that you choose affect tone, attitude, imagery, and, voice. Just as with your speaking tone, your written tone can reveal any emotion or attitude a person can feel.

How does diction or word choice affect tone and meaning?

When it comes to tone, most of us think we understand it pretty well. Tone is the author’s attitude toward the writing. Tone is largely determined by diction or the words that an author chooses. Good writers carefully choose words that will help you “hear” the attitude in the writing.

What will happen if proper diction is not observed?

Answer: If improper diction or poor choice of words and phrases is not observed, there will be a misunderstanding between the reader and the author. The point of view of the author wouldn’t be delivered very well to the reader and the reader might give the phrase another meaning.

How do I change my writing tone?

Let’s look at a few of the easiest and most effective ways to improve the tone of your writing.

  1. Avoid a Predictable Treatment of Your Subject.
  2. Keep Tone Consistent From Start to Finish.
  3. Cut Ruthlessly.
  4. Let Tension Sustain Tone.
  5. Use Your Voice.
  6. Convey Tone Through Details and Descriptions.

Why is word choice important in communication?

A word choice is an important part of any communication. It is a manner in which something is expressed in words. The choice of words is the style of expression. A person, in general, chooses words to which he feels comfortable, confident, and simple enough for a general audience to understand.

What are word choice examples?

Example

as fresh as a daisy as slow as molasses as white as snow
old as dirt our neck of the woods plain as the nose on your face
raking in the dough sick as a dog stick in the mud
stubborn as a mule sweet as apple pie thorn in my side
two peas in a pod under the weather walks on water

What is choice of words called?

Diction (Latin: dictionem (nom. dictio), “a saying, expression, word”), in its original meaning, is a writer’s or speaker’s distinctive vocabulary choices and style of expression in a poem or story. Diction also has an impact upon word choice and syntax.

Why is it good to be careful in our choice of words?

That is why it is so important to be mindful of the words we say to people. Our words can be the most powerful tool we have for good or they can be the most powerful tool of destruction. The choice is up to us.

What should you be careful of when speaking to someone?

We should be very careful and attentive while speaking to others. We should see to it that the person being spoken to must hear and follow us. This can be achieved only by speaking clearly, frankly and sufficiently loudly. One should not make unpleasant comment about a person behind his back.

What God says about our words?

Proverbs 11:17 “Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel.” Proverbs 15: 1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but hard words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:4 “Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”

What does the Bible say about our mouths?

1. Proverbs 13:3; “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” 2. Ephesians 4:29; “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Why is the tongue powerful?

The tongue is a doorway of life for our body, soul and spirit. Not only is it designed to feed our bodies, it also has the power to nourish our soul and spirit. James 3: 9-11 – “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.

What does James say about the tongue?

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Who said the tongue is mightier than the sword?

Edward Bulwer-Lytton

What does the Bible say about the power of the tongue?

Proverbs 18:21 puts it this way: “The tongue has the power of life and death.” The stakes are high. Your words can either speak life, or your words can speak death. Our tongues can build others up, or they can tear them down. An unchecked fire doubles in size every minute.

How can we tame the tongue?

Biblical Tips to Tame the Tongue

  1. Use common sense – “The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.” (Proverbs 16:23)
  2. Stay in the moment, speak in context – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11)

What God says about taming the tongue?

Psalm – “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.” Proverbs 10:11 – “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life…” Proverbs 10:19 – “Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”

How can I control my mouth when talking?

If you still have a difficult time keeping your mouth shut, try writing down your thoughts in a journal. Sometimes, just putting your thoughts down is enough to remove the feeling like you have to talk. Then, you can throw away what you wrote or use the note to phrase what you’re planning to say.

How can I control my mouth when angry?

A few tricks to cool your temper can come in handy the next time you feel yourself close to boiling over. For example, deep breathing is a simple method that can work well to ease anger. To do it, breathe in slowly through your nose, hold your breath for a few seconds, and then breathe out through your mouth.

Sometimes you can tell a person’s opinion on a certain subject, item, idea, or even another individual — not by what they say, but by how they say it. The words a speaker or writer uses to describe and communicate something to others, their word choice or diction, shows their attitude or tone. Although you may not know it, the way you describe something often tells others additional information about what you think.

Many orators, writers, and master communicators have learned to choose their words carefully when communicating an idea to be as effective as possible with their message. Word choice, also known as diction, is important to help communicate the right tone and influence your audience.

Tone and Word Choice Meaning

Tone and word choice, or diction, are specific style choices writers use when composing a piece to convey their message effectively.

The tone is the author’s attitude towards the subject or even a character within a novel.

Word choice, or diction, refers to the author’s specific words, imagery, and figurative language to communicate that tone.

The specific word choices an author employs directly affect and reveal the tone.

To select the right words, authors must pay close attention to both the denotation and connotation of words.

Denotation is the literal dictionary definition of a word.

Connotation is the underlying meaning of a word or the emotional charge it carries. Connotation can be negative, positive, or neutral.

Tone and word choice dictionary definition StudySmarterFig. 1 — To find a word’s denotative meaning, you should look in a dictionary.

Several words can have the same denotative meaning yet carry a different connotative meaning. The connotation of a word can vary from culture to culture and based on life experiences.

Carefully chosen diction can help writers effectively communicate an idea or perspective and develop a unique voice and style. Word choice enables authentic communication and ensures the tone and message of a piece are aligned or in agreement.Carefully selected diction is crucial when defining the purpose of your writing. It is often appropriate to use detailed descriptions, figurative language, and imagery for narrative, prose, and poetry. However, if you are writing a research paper for biology, your language will be more scientific and the diction more direct and factual.

Tone and mood are often confused. While they are related, they differ in one central aspect. Tone is the author’s attitude toward a subject, idea, situation, or character, while mood is the audience’s or reader’s emotional response. The tone of a piece can be humorous, while the mood is lighthearted and fun. An author may use description to show their dislike toward a character, while the readers may relate to the character and feel empathy.

Tone and Word Choice StudySmarterA wide range of emotions can be expressed through word choice.

The Reason for Careful Word Choice

Carefully chosen diction is essential in writing. The types of words an author or orator decides to use depends on the purpose of their writing or speech. Carefully selected words, phrases, and descriptions can do a lot.

Word Choice Matches Your Tone and Purpose

An informative text, such as a non-fiction research article, will have more professional, content-specific, and technical diction because its purpose is to inform a specific audience. A literary fiction piece will have more detailed language, figures of speech, imagery, and conversational language because one of the primary purposes of fiction is to entice a reader, engage with the audience, and entertain.

Word Choice Creates the Right Setting

The language authors use when developing a story to describe characters, time, and place must be in agreement for readers to accept the story as realistic. Authors often use strong descriptive words to help establish the setting, create a mood, and give an authentic feeling to the story.

Word Choice Develops a Narrative Voice

A consistent narrative voice helps readers connect to the piece of writing and establishes a trustworthy relationship between reader and narrator.

Word Choice Creates Better Characters

Authors and orators often use language specific to a particular region, dialect, and accents to provide a realistic portrayal of a character or relate to the audience. Presenters who are not from Texas may use typical Texas colloquialisms, such as «y’all,» which is a combination of the words «you» and «all,» to relate to the listeners. A young character in a fiction piece may speak with a lot of slang or foul language to show immaturity. A character’s use of specific diction can indicate their gender, level of education, occupation, upbringing, or even social class.

A colloquialism is an informal word or phrase often used in daily conversation. Some colloquialisms may be specific to a region, culture, or religion.

Tone and Word Choice Examples

Some descriptive words have the same denotative meaning but carry different connotations. Using careful word choice, especially when selecting the proper synonym or a descriptive adjective, can create the desired effect and convey the appropriate tone for a piece. Consider the following table of examples.

Word (with neutral connotation) Denotation Synonym with a positive connotation Synonym with a negative connotation
Thin having little flesh or fat Slender Skinny
Overweight above a weight considered normal or desirable Thick Fat
Strict demanding that rules are followed or obeyed Firm Austere

Have you noticed a difference in someone’s tone when they call someone slender vs when they call someone skinny?

Impact of Word Choice on Meaning and Tone

Selecting words with a positive connotation will reflect a more amiable tone toward the subject, while words with a negative connotation will convey a negative attitude toward a subject. Words with a neutral connotation are best used when an author does not want to reveal their attitude or, in instances, such as a scientific paper, where only the facts are important.

Difference Between Tone and Word Choice

Word choice and tone are related. Word choice refers to the language specifically chosen by the author or orator to help convey their attitude regarding a notion, story, or setting. Word choice shapes the tone. On the other hand, the desired tone an author seeks dictates the words they use. If the author wants to establish a worried tone, some key diction and phrases within the piece might be words like «tentatively,» «shaking,» «stressed,» «nervous,» «sweaty,» «eyes darting,» and «looking over his shoulder.» To portray a more optimistic tone, an author might select words like «eagerly,» «excitedly,» «hopeful,» «reassuring,» and «anticipated.» Keyword choice is the foundation that builds a consistent tone.

Tone and word choice StudySmarter Fig. 3 — What is the tone of this image? A worried man sits and thinks, and the worried tone should be reflected in the word choice.

The Four Components of Tone

Whether an article is a non-fiction piece, a fictive story, a poem, or an informative article, the tone the writer uses helps audience members have the appropriate reaction to the information by creating the mood. There are four basic components of tone, and diction dictates the balance of emotions. Authors aim to maintain the same tone throughout a piece to convey a consistent message. The four components of tone range from:

  1. Funny to serious
  2. Casual to formal
  3. Irreverent to respectful
  4. Enthusiastic to matter-of-fact (direct)

Writers choose the voice they want to deliver and then focus on specific word choices to maintain their tone. Pieces that move too often between distinct tones can be hard for readers to follow and cause confusion.

Types of Tones

The tone in writing indicates a particular attitude. Here are some types of tones with examples from the literature and speeches.

The diction that helps to convey the tone is highlighted.

When I pulled the trigger I did not hear the bang or feel the kick—one never does when a shot goes home—but I heard the devilish roar of glee that went up from the crowd. In that instant, in too short a time, one would have thought, even for the bullet to get there, a mysterious, terrible change had come over the elephant. He neither stirred nor fell, but every line of his body had altered. He looked suddenly stricken, shrunken, immensely old, as though the frightful impact of the bullet had paralyzed him without knocking him down.1

In this excerpt from Orwell’s essay, «Shooting an Elephant,» the gruesome tone is communicated through Orwell’s descriptive word choice. The words «terrible,» «suddenly stricken,» and «paralyzed» describe the horrific reaction the elephant has when the first bullet hits.

Inside the house lived a malevolent phantom. People said he existed, but Jem and I had never seen him. People said he went out at night when the moon was down, and peeped in windows. When people’s azaleas froze in a cold snap, it was because he had breathed on them. Any stealthy small crimes committed in Maycomb were his work. Once the town was terrorized by a series of morbid nocturnal events: people’s chickens and household pets were found mutilated; although the culprit was Crazy Addie, who eventually drowned himself in Barker’s Eddy, people still looked at the Radley Place, unwilling to discard their initial suspicions.2

In this excerpt from Chapter 1 of To Kill a Mockingbird, descriptive words help to create a foreboding tone. Words like «morbid,» «mutilated,» «terrorized,» and «malevolent phantom» reveal Scout’s sense of fear and apprehension.

Hope» is the thing with feathers —

That perches in the soul —

And sings the tune without the words —

And never stops — at all —

And sweetest — in the Gale — is heard —

And sore must be the storm —

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm

I’ve heard it in the chillest land —

And on the strangest Sea —

Yet — never — in Extremity,

It asked a crumb — of me.3

In this poem by Emily Dickinson, the cheerful tone is communicated through the words «perches,» «sings,» and «sweetest.»

Tone and Word Choice — Key Takeaways

  • Word choice refers to the specific language, words, phrases, descriptions, and figures of speech authors choose to create a desired effect.
  • Tone is the author’s attitude toward a subject as conveyed by their word choice in a given piece.
  • Denotation is the dictionary definition of a word and connotation is the underlying meaning of a word and its emotional charge.
  • Connotation is the underlying meaning of a word or the emotional charge it carries. Connotation can be negative, positive, or neutral.
  • The four components of tone are, funny to serious, casual to formal, irreverent to respectful, and enthusiastic to matter-of-fact.

1 George Orwell. «Shooting an Elephant.» 1936.

2 Lee Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. 1960.

3 Emily Dickinson. ‘»Hope» is the thing with feathers.’ 1891.

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