AP English Language · Unit 4: Style

4.1 Diction & Word Choice

Diction is deliberate

Diction is a writer's word choice. It ranges from formal to colloquial, concrete to abstract, and shapes tone and precision. Every word carries denotation and connotation.

Levels of language

Formal diction suits serious, academic contexts; informal or colloquial diction sounds conversational. Matching diction to audience and purpose is a mark of control.

Precision

Precise, concrete words ('sprinted') often outperform vague ones ('went fast'). Strong diction makes writing vivid and exact rather than general and flat.

Key terms

Diction: A writer's word choice.
Formal diction: Serious, academic word choice.
Colloquial diction: Conversational, everyday word choice.
Concrete diction: Specific, vivid words that add precision.
Connotation: A word's associations beyond its literal meaning.

Try an AP-style question

Diction refers to…

word choice
sentence length
punctuation
paragraph order

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A. Words.

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