As a literary device, diction refers to the linguistic choices made by a writer to convey an idea, or point of view, or tell a story in an effective way. The author’s selection of words or vocabulary and the artistic arrangements of these words is what constitutes the style and establishes the voice of a literary work. Therefore, analyzing the style of a work of literature is an attempt to identify and understand diction — the type and quality of individual words that comprise the vocabulary of the work. Diction is closely connected to characterization. The words associated with a literary character represent their ideals, values and attitudes. Diction can create a representation of the character’s outer appearance and/or inner state of mind for the reader.

For example, in George Bernard Shaw’s play, Pygmalion, Professor Henry Higgins famously teaches Eliza Doolittle to speak like an upper-class lady as opposed to a lower-class flower girl, changing who she is as a person and how she is regarded by others through changing her diction.

Common Types of Diction

Here are eight common types of diction and their stylistic qualities.

• Formal: use of elevated, sophisticated, professional language; formal diction does not feature slang or colloquialisms, but instead adheres to proper grammar and complex sentence structure.
• Informal: conversational, casual, realistic language; informal diction is often used by writers to portray real-life communication or dialogue between realistic characters, and it is often utilized in narrative literary forms, such as short fictions and novels.
• Slang: words or phrases originated within a particular culture or subgroup that become widespread in use.
• Pedantic: detailed academic writing; pedantic diction generally reflects deliberate educated word choices with denotative intention.
• Abstract: expression of the intangible, such as ideas or emotions.