Didls The Key To Tonediction The Connotation Of The Word Choicewhat ✓ Solved
DIDLS: The Key to TONE Diction - the connotation of the word choice What words does the author choose? Consider his/her word choice compared to another. Why did the author choose that particular word? What are the connotations of that word choice? Images - vivid appeals to understanding through the senses - concrete language What images does the author use?
What does he/she focus on in a sensory (sight, touch, taste, smell, etc.) way? The kinds of images the author puts in or leaves out reflect his/her style? Are they vibrant? Prominent? Plain?
NOTE: Images differ from detail in the degree to which they appeal to the senses. Details - facts that are included or those that are omitted What details are does the author choose to include? What do they imply? What does the author choose to exclude? What are the connotations of their choice of details?
PLEASE NOTE: Details are facts or fact-lets. They differ from images in that they don't have a strong sensory appeal. Language - the overall use of language, such as formal, clinical, jargon What is the overall impression of the language the author uses? Does it reflect education? A particular profession?
Intelligence? Is it plain? Ornate? Simple? Clear?
Figurative? Poetic? Make sure you don't skip this step. Sentence Structure - how structure affects the reader's attitude What are the sentences like? Are they simple with one or two clauses?
Do they have multiple phrases? Are they choppy? Flowing? Sinuous like a snake? Is there antithesis, chiasmus, parallel construction?
What emotional impression do they leave? If we are talking about poetry, what is the meter? Is there a rhyme scheme? DICTION: Laugh: guffaw, chuckle, titter, giggle, cackle, snicker, roar Self-confident: proud, conceited, egotistical, stuck-up, haughty, smug, condescending House: home, hut, shack, mansion, cabin, home, residence Old: mature, experienced, antique, relic, senior, ancient Fat: obese, plump, corpulent, portly, porky, burly, husky, full-figured IMAGES: The use of vivid descriptions or figures of speech that appeal to sensory experiences helps to create the author's tone. My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun. (restrained) An old, mad, blind, despised, and dying king. (somber, candid) He clasps the crag with crooked hands. (dramatic) Love sets you going like a fat gold watch. (fanciful) Smiling, the boy fell dead. (shocking) DETAILS: Details are most commonly the facts given by the author or speaker as support for the attitude or tone.
The speaker's perspective shapes what details are given and which are not. LANGUAGE: Like word choice, the language of a passage has control over tone. Consider language to be the entire body of words used in a text, not simply isolated bits of diction. For example, an invitation to a wedding might use formal language, while a biology text would use scientific and clinical language. • When I told Dad that I had goofed the exam, he blew his top. (slang) • I had him on the ropes in the fourth and if one of my short rights had connected, he'd have gone down for the count. (jargon) • A close examination and correlation of the most reliable current economic indexes justifies the conclusion that the next year will witness a continuation of the present, upward market trend. (turgid, pedantic) SENTENCE STRUCTURE: How a sentence is constructed affects what the audience understands.
Parallel syntax (similarly styled phrases and sentences) creates interconnected emotions, feelings and ideas. Short sentences are punchy and intense. Long sentences are distancing, reflective and more abstract. Loose sentences point at the end. Periodic sentences point at the beginning, followed by modifiers and phrases.
The inverted order of an interrogative sentence cues the reader to a question and creates tension between speaker and listener. Short sentences are often emphatic, passionate or flippant, whereas longer sentences suggest greater thought. Sentence structure affects tone. SHIFT IN TONE: Good authors are rarely monotone. A speaker's attitude can shift on a topic, or an author might have one attitude toward the audience and another toward the subject.
The following are some clues to watch for shifts in tone: • key words (but, yet, nevertheless, however, although) • punctuation (dashes, periods, colons) • paragraph divisions • changes in sentence length • sharp contrasts in diction The Literary Superpower Tool of TONE Tone is defined as the writer's or speaker's attitude toward the subject and the audience. Understanding tone in prose and poetry can be challenging because the reader doesn't have voice inflection to obscure or to carry meaning. Thus, an appreciation of word choice, details, imagery, and language all contribute to the understanding of tone. To misinterpret tone is to misinterpret meaning. DIDLS: The Key to TONE Diction - the connotation of the word choice.
What words does the author choose? Consider his/her word choice compared to another. Why did the author choose that particular word? What are the connotations of that word choice? Images - vivid appeals to understanding through the senses - concrete language.
What images does the author use? What does he/she focus on in a sensory (sight, touch, taste, smell, etc.) way? The kinds of images the author puts in or leaves out reflect his/her style? Are they vibrant? Prominent?
Plain? NOTE: Images differ from detail in the degree to which they appeal to the senses. Details - facts that are included or those that are omitted . What details are does the author choose to include? What do they imply?
What does the author choose to exclude? What are the connotations of their choice of details? PLEASE NOTE: Details are facts or fact-lets. They differ from images in that they don't have a strong sensory appeal. Language - the overall use of language, such as formal, clinical, jargon.
What is the overall impression of the language the author uses? Does it reflect education? A particular profession? Intelligence? Is it plain?
Ornate? Simple? Clear? Figurative? Poetic?
Make sure you don't skip this step. Sentence Structure - how structure affects the reader's attitude. What are the sentences like? Are they simple with one or two clauses? Do they have multiple phrases?
Are they choppy? Flowing? Sinuous like a snake? Is there antithesis, chiasmus, parallel construction? What emotional impression do they leave?
If we are talking about poetry, what is the meter? Is there a rhyme scheme? HOW TO IDENTIFY TONE STEP ONE: Use DIDLS STEP TWO: Begin with a simple tone such as positive, negative, neutral, philosophical, satirical. STEP THREE: Refine the tone by selecting an adjective that is more descriptive. Here is a short list of simple but helpful "tone words": Angry Sad Sentimental Afraid Sharp Cold Fanciful Detached Upset Urgent Complimentary Contemptuous Silly Joking Condescending Happy Boring Poignant Sympathetic Confused Apologetic Hollow Childish Humorous Joyful Peaceful Horrific Allusive Mocking Sarcastic Sweet Objective Nostalgic Vexed Vibrant Zealous Tired Frivolous Irrelevant Bitter Audacious Benevolent Dreamy Shocking Seductive Restrained Somber Candid Proud Giddy Pitiful Dramatic Provocative Didactic Lugubrious Sentimental ADD MORE OF YOUR OWN TONE WORDS BELOW!!
LANGUAGE: The Literary Superpower Tool of Theme is: • Theme is the central, underlying, and controlling idea or insight of a work of literature. • Theme is the idea the writer wishes to convey about the subject--the writer’s view of the world or revelation about human nature. Theme is NOT: • Theme is not expressed in a single word • Theme is not the purpose of a work • Theme is not the moral • Theme is not the conflict To ascertain theme, the reader should first understand the plot, characterization, and conflict. Use the following five steps as a guide to help you write a theme for a work. 1. Summarize the plot by writing one sentence descriptions for the exposition, conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
2. Identify the subject of the work. 3. What was the insight or truth that was learned about the subject? • How did the protagonist change? • What lesson did the protagonist learn from the resolution of the conflict? 4.
How did the plot present the primary insight or truth about the subject? 5. Write one or more generalized declarative sentences that state what was learned and how it was learned. Theme litmus test Is the theme supported by evidence from the work itself? Are all the author’s choices of plot, character, conflict, and tone controlled by this theme?
IDENTIFYING A THEME IN FIVE STEPS THEME DIDLS: The Key to TONE Diction - the connotation of the word choice What words does the author choose? Consider his/her word choice compared to another. Why did the author choose that particular word? What are the connotations of that word choice? Images - vivid appeals to understanding through the senses - concrete language What images does the author use?
What does he/she focus on in a sensory (sight, touch, taste, smell, etc.) way? The kinds of images the author puts in or leaves out reflect his/her style? Are they vibrant? Prominent? Plain?
NOTE: Images differ from detail in the degree to which they appeal to the senses. Details - facts that are included or those that are omitted What details are does the author choose to include? What do they imply? What does the author choose to exclude? What are the connotations of their choice of details?
PLEASE NOTE: Details are facts or fact-lets. They differ from images in that they don't have a strong sensory appeal. Language - the overall use of language, such as formal, clinical, jargon What is the overall impression of the language the author uses? Does it reflect education? A particular profession?
Intelligence? Is it plain? Ornate? Simple? Clear?
Figurative? Poetic? Make sure you don't skip this step. Sentence Structure - how structure affects the reader's attitude What are the sentences like? Are they simple with one or two clauses?
Do they have multiple phrases? Are they choppy? Flowing? Sinuous like a snake? Is there antithesis, chiasmus, parallel construction?
What emotional impression do they leave? If we are talking about poetry, what is the meter? Is there a rhyme scheme? DICTION: Laugh: guffaw, chuckle, titter, giggle, cackle, snicker, roar Self-confident: proud, conceited, egotistical, stuck-up, haughty, smug, condescending House: home, hut, shack, mansion, cabin, home, residence Old: mature, experienced, antique, relic, senior, ancient Fat: obese, plump, corpulent, portly, porky, burly, husky, full-figured IMAGES: The use of vivid descriptions or figures of speech that appeal to sensory experiences helps to create the author's tone. My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun. (restrained) An old, mad, blind, despised, and dying king. (somber, candid) He clasps the crag with crooked hands. (dramatic) Love sets you going like a fat gold watch. (fanciful) Smiling, the boy fell dead. (shocking) DETAILS: Details are most commonly the facts given by the author or speaker as support for the attitude or tone.
The speaker's perspective shapes what details are given and which are not. LANGUAGE: Like word choice, the language of a passage has control over tone. Consider language to be the entire body of words used in a text, not simply isolated bits of diction. For example, an invitation to a wedding might use formal language, while a biology text would use scientific and clinical language. • When I told Dad that I had goofed the exam, he blew his top. (slang) • I had him on the ropes in the fourth and if one of my short rights had connected, he'd have gone down for the count. (jargon) • A close examination and correlation of the most reliable current economic indexes justifies the conclusion that the next year will witness a continuation of the present, upward market trend. (turgid, pedantic) SENTENCE STRUCTURE: How a sentence is constructed affects what the audience understands.
Parallel syntax (similarly styled phrases and sentences) creates interconnected emotions, feelings and ideas. Short sentences are punchy and intense. Long sentences are distancing, reflective and more abstract. Loose sentences point at the end. Periodic sentences point at the beginning, followed by modifiers and phrases.
The inverted order of an interrogative sentence cues the reader to a question and creates tension between speaker and listener. Short sentences are often emphatic, passionate or flippant, whereas longer sentences suggest greater thought. Sentence structure affects tone. SHIFT IN TONE: Good authors are rarely monotone. A speaker's attitude can shift on a topic, or an author might have one attitude toward the audience and another toward the subject.
The following are some clues to watch for shifts in tone: • key words (but, yet, nevertheless, however, although) • punctuation (dashes, periods, colons) • paragraph divisions • changes in sentence length • sharp contrasts in diction The Literary Superpower Tool of TONE Tone is defined as the writer's or speaker's attitude toward the subject and the audience. Understanding tone in prose and poetry can be challenging because the reader doesn't have voice inflection to obscure or to carry meaning. Thus, an appreciation of word choice, details, imagery, and language all contribute to the understanding of tone. To misinterpret tone is to misinterpret meaning. DIDLS: The Key to TONE Diction - the connotation of the word choice.
What words does the author choose? Consider his/her word choice compared to another. Why did the author choose that particular word? What are the connotations of that word choice? Images - vivid appeals to understanding through the senses - concrete language.
What images does the author use? What does he/she focus on in a sensory (sight, touch, taste, smell, etc.) way? The kinds of images the author puts in or leaves out reflect his/her style? Are they vibrant? Prominent?
Plain? NOTE: Images differ from detail in the degree to which they appeal to the senses. Details - facts that are included or those that are omitted . What details are does the author choose to include? What do they imply?
What does the author choose to exclude? What are the connotations of their choice of details? PLEASE NOTE: Details are facts or fact-lets. They differ from images in that they don't have a strong sensory appeal. Language - the overall use of language, such as formal, clinical, jargon.
What is the overall impression of the language the author uses? Does it reflect education? A particular profession? Intelligence? Is it plain?
Ornate? Simple? Clear? Figurative? Poetic?
Make sure you don't skip this step. Sentence Structure - how structure affects the reader's attitude. What are the sentences like? Are they simple with one or two clauses? Do they have multiple phrases?
Are they choppy? Flowing? Sinuous like a snake? Is there antithesis, chiasmus, parallel construction? What emotional impression do they leave?
If we are talking about poetry, what is the meter? Is there a rhyme scheme? HOW TO IDENTIFY TONE STEP ONE: Use DIDLS STEP TWO: Begin with a simple tone such as positive, negative, neutral, philosophical, satirical. STEP THREE: Refine the tone by selecting an adjective that is more descriptive. Here is a short list of simple but helpful "tone words": Angry Sad Sentimental Afraid Sharp Cold Fanciful Detached Upset Urgent Complimentary Contemptuous Silly Joking Condescending Happy Boring Poignant Sympathetic Confused Apologetic Hollow Childish Humorous Joyful Peaceful Horrific Allusive Mocking Sarcastic Sweet Objective Nostalgic Vexed Vibrant Zealous Tired Frivolous Irrelevant Bitter Audacious Benevolent Dreamy Shocking Seductive Restrained Somber Candid Proud Giddy Pitiful Dramatic Provocative Didactic Lugubrious Sentimental ADD MORE OF YOUR OWN TONE WORDS BELOW!!
LANGUAGE: H101 Theatrical Analysis Example Basic Information Title: Full House Season 2 Episode 3 Creators: Jeff Franklin Genre: Drama, Comedy, and Family First Aired: September 22, 1987 Audience: Age 12-20 I watched Friends on 11/23/16 through YouTube Theatrical Elements Plot: Jesse and Joey are offered a full time job that pays well. The job will be long hours and take up most of their time. They will not have any more time to spend with the girls. The girls are sad about it. Jesse and Joey need to decide if they are going to accept the job position or find a different alternative to make the job and their duties as parents work.
Characters: There are five main characters in this episode of Full House. First there is Danny Tanner, he is the biological father of the three girls. He is a clean freak and always well dressed and mannered. There is Joey, who is a comedian. He stands out with his wardrobe and his personality, he has agreed to help Danny raise his three girls.
Then there is Uncle Jesse, who is the rock n roll edgy uncle. His wardrobe is very rock n roll and he has more of a rebellious personality, he also has agreed to help Danny raise the three girls. The first daughter’s name is DJ Tanner, she is a normal child that lost her mom. She is the big sister. Then there is Stephanie Tanner who has a cute personality, she is funny and is the middle child.
Last there is also Michelle Tanner, she is a toddler that is barely walking and can barely talk. Thought: To never forget what your priority duties are. Don not let something else that is not as important to distract you and pull you away from what your responsibilities are. Try to find an alternative to make things work. Diction: A lot of the talks in this episode were from the heart.
It gave each character to be able what they felt about the situation. Joey used humor because that was the only way he knows how to communicate which I think lightened up the show a bit to take it away a little from the sadness. Spectacle: I think filming the scenes in the house and at the work office was great. Because it two different places Joey and Jesse need to choose where they are going to spend the majority of their time at. The office because it means work and at the house because it shows side of the family and the love they have for the three girls and what they will miss out on.
Song: I feel that the music that they chose for the scenes was right for each scene. When Joey and Jesse were at the office it was more the fun up lifting music. When they though aout the money and jut the excitement of getting the job offer, but once they cooled down and took time to really see what they were going to miss out on the music got sad. The music at the house was sad, because it is where Joey and Uncle Jesse saw what they were missing out with the girls. Conclusion: 1.
I believe the message from the episode really shows how much love Jesse and Joey have for the three girls. Joey and Jesse ended up accepting the job but only if they were allowed to work from home to be able to spend time with the girls as well. I think the message shows that no matter what you get offered you need to make sure you are meeting up to the requirements of your priorities first before you accept or do anything else. 2. I feel that the writer was trying to get through to the viewers to not forget your priorities especially because of work. Or in this case it was children and their duties as guardians.
Paper for above instructions
Understanding DIDLS: The Key to Tone and Diction in Literature
The analysis of a text often revolves around comprehension of tone and diction, which is critical for deeper interpretation and understanding of the author's intent. The DIDLS framework—Diction, Imagery, Details, Language, and Sentence Structure—is an excellent method for analyzing tone in both poetry and prose. This essay will elaborate on each aspect of DIDLS, elucidating how they contribute to the overall tone of a piece, while providing concrete examples for clarity.
1. Diction: The Connotation of Word Choice
Diction refers to the choice of words an author employs. Different words carry different connotations, which can significantly affect the tone of a text. For instance, when comparing words like "home" and "shack," the former suggests warmth and safety, while the latter may evoke feelings of neglect or poverty. The author’s choice reflects their character portrayal and thematic concerns, often aiming to sway the reader’s emotional response.
Consider the word "laugh." The usage of synonyms such as “guffaw,” “chuckle,” and “snicker” shifts the emotional undercurrent. For example, "guffaw" and "chuckle" can suggest warmth and joy, while "snicker" carries a sense of mockery or derision (Lodge, 1999). Through careful diction, authors can create a specific atmosphere that invites readers to feel a certain way about the narrative or the characters involved.
2. Imagery: Vivid Appeals to the Senses
Imagery allows authors to create vivid mental pictures using descriptive language that appeals to our senses. Such imagery not only conveys feelings but also establishes a strong emotional tone. For example, in William Wordsworth's "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," the picturesque descriptions of daffodils evoke feelings of joy and tranquility (Wordsworth, 1807).
Imagery is often enhanced through detailed sensory description, which reinforces the tone. In Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," the imagery surrounding darkness and the beating heart generates a tone of suspense and horror. The specific selection of vivid images encapsulates the reader into the eerie ambiance, enhancing the emotional response (Poe, 1843).
3. Details: Inclusion and Omission
Details, or the facts presented within a text, play an integral role in shaping tone by what they include or exclude. An author might choose to emphasize certain details to build a narrative or create a specific atmosphere. In Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway," selective details about the characters' social interactions imply underlying themes of tension and societal pressure (Woolf, 1925).
Contrastingly, the omission of specific details can also reflect a certain tone. For example, in George Orwell’s "Animal Farm," the absence of explicit political endorsement coupled with subtle references to totalitarian regimes creates a satirical tone that critiques political ideologies without directly naming them (Orwell, 1945). This suggests a certain level of sophistication and maturity which allows readers to infer deeper meanings.
4. Language: Overall Impression
The choice of language shapes the tone of a piece significantly. Language can be formal, colloquial, clinical, or even poetic, depending on the subject matter and the audience's expected understanding. For instance, the formal language seen in scientific texts contrasts sharply with the casual, conversational language in contemporary epistolary novels, reflecting their unique contexts and intended audiences.
In J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series, the use of semi-formal dialogue blends magical elements with relatable character interactions, creating an inviting and whimsical tone. Rowling’s choice to blend accessible language with intricate details of the magical world invites readers of all ages into her richly constructed universe (Rowling, 1997).
5. Sentence Structure: Emotional Impression
The construction of sentences influences how readers perceive tone. Short, abrupt sentences can generate tension and urgency, while long, flowing sentences may evoke a reflective or dreamlike state. The varied use of sentence construction can help establish a fluidity to emotions on the page.
In Fitzgerald’s "The Great Gatsby," complex sentence structures reflect the intricacies of the characters' emotions and interactions. The flowing prose, laden with descriptive phrases, provides a poignant insight into their desires and failures, and subsequently creates a beautifully tragic tone (Fitzgerald, 1925).
Conversely, choppy sentences in Hemingway's works often create a sense of urgency or stark realism, providing a raw emotional tone (Hemingway, 1926). This approach allows for more visceral emotional engagement from readers as the brevity mirrors the often tough realities expressed by his characters.
Conclusion: The Importance of DIDLS in Tone Analysis
In exploring a work through the DIDLS lens, readers can grasp the complexities of tone more effectively. Each aspect—diction, imagery, details, language, and sentence structure—plays a critical role in shaping the tone, and therefore the reader's response. By dissecting a text using DIDLS, readers not only decode the author's intent but also appreciate the craftsmanship behind effective literary expression.
By understanding tone through these facets, readers become more astute literary critics, capable of engaging deeply with texts and enjoying the layered meanings embedded within the author's work. It illuminates the interplay between an author's choices and their impact on readers, offering crucial insights into literature.
References
1. Fitzgerald, F. S. (1925). The Great Gatsby. Charles Scribner's Sons.
2. Hemingway, E. (1926). The Sun Also Rises. Scribner.
3. Lodge, D. (1999). The Art of Fiction. Penguin Books.
4. Orwell, G. (1945). Animal Farm. Secker and Warburg.
5. Poe, E. A. (1843). The Tell-Tale Heart. The Pioneer.
6. Rowling, J. K. (1997). Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Bloomsbury.
7. Woolf, V. (1925). Mrs. Dalloway. Hogarth Press.
8. Wordsworth, W. (1807). I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud. Print.
9. Chekhov, A. (1899). The Lady with the Dog. The contemporary story.
10. Bradbury, R. (1953). Fahrenheit 451. Ballantine Books.