DIDLS Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does DIDLS stand for?

Diction, Imagery, Details, Language, and Syntax

How can you use DIDLS with tone?

Use diction to find tone. Use imagery, details, language, and syntax to support tone.

What is diction?

The author's choice of words and their connotations.

What is imagery?

The use of descriptions that appeal to sensory experience. Signup and view all the answers

What are details in writing?

Facts included or those omitted. Signup and view all the answers

What does language refer to in the context of DIDLS?

Characteristics of the body of words used. Signup and view all the answers

What is syntax?

The way sentences are constructed. Signup and view all the answers

What is high/formal diction?

High/formal diction contains language that creates an elevated tone. Signup and view all the answers

What is neutral diction?

Neutral diction uses standard language without elaborate words. Signup and view all the answers

What is informal/low diction?

Informal/low diction is the language of everyday use. Signup and view all the answers

What is slang?

A group of recently coined words used in informal situations. Signup and view all the answers

What does colloquial diction mean?

Nonstandard, often regional, ways of using language suitable for informal speech. Signup and view all the answers

What is jargon?

Words and expressions characteristic of a particular trade or profession. Signup and view all the answers

What is dialect?

A nonstandard subgroup of a language with its own vocabulary and grammatical features. Signup and view all the answers

What is concrete diction?

Specific words that describe physical qualities or conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is abstract diction?

Language that denotes ideas, emotions, conditions, or concepts that are intangible. Signup and view all the answers

What is denotation?

The exact, literal definition of a word without emotional associations. Signup and view all the answers

What is connotation?

The implicit meaning of a word, including associations and emotional overtones. Signup and view all the answers

What is assonance?

Repetition of vowel sounds in the middle of a word. Signup and view all the answers

What is metonymy?

A word exchanged for another closely associated with it. Signup and view all the answers

What is an analogy?

Comparing two things that have at least one thing in common. Signup and view all the answers

What is a euphemism?

Substituting a milder or less offensive sounding word. Signup and view all the answers

What is an aphorism?

Universal comments, sayings, or proverbs that convey a major point. Signup and view all the answers

What is a paradox?

A statement that can be true and false at the same time. Signup and view all the answers

What is a rhetorical question?

A question that expects no answer; it creates thought. Signup and view all the answers

What is a declarative sentence?

An assertive statement. Signup and view all the answers

What is an imperative sentence?

An authoritative command. Signup and view all the answers

What is an interrogative sentence?

A sentence that asks a question. Signup and view all the answers

What is a simple sentence?

A sentence with one subject and one verb. Signup and view all the answers

What is a loose sentence?

A sentence with details after the subject and verb. Signup and view all the answers

What is a periodic sentence?

A sentence with details before the subject and verb. Signup and view all the answers

What is juxtaposition?

Placing normally unassociated ideas, words, or phrases next to each other. Signup and view all the answers

What is parallelism?

Showing equal ideas for emphasis or rhythm. Signup and view all the answers

What is repetition?

Words, sounds, and ideas used more than once for rhythm or emphasis. Signup and view all the answers

What is a telegraphic sentence?

A sentence shorter than five words in length. Signup and view all the answers

What is a short sentence?

Sentences approximately five words in length. Signup and view all the answers

What is a medium sentence?

Sentences approximately 18 words in length. Signup and view all the answers

What is a long and involved sentence?

Sentences 30 or more words in length. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

DIDLS Overview

DIDLS is an acronym representing Diction, Imagery, Details, Language, and Syntax, used to analyze tone in writing.

Using DIDLS with Tone

Diction helps identify the tone; imagery, details, language, and syntax provide supporting elements to interpret tone.

Diction

Author's word choices and their meanings can influence reader's mood and indicate tone.
Consider the specific word choices, emotional effects, and tonal implications of selected words.

Imagery

Utilizes descriptive language to evoke sensory experiences in the reader.
Analyze vivid images, their sensory appeal, and their emotional impact on readers.

Details

Includes both specific facts provided and those omitted by the author.
Examine how these choices affect reader's mood and reveal the author's tone.

Language

Focuses on the characteristics of the words used in the text.
Investigate the descriptive quality of the language and its effect on the reader's mood and tone.

Syntax

Refers to the structure and arrangement of sentences.
Analyze whether sentences are simple or complex and how they affect reader enjoyment and understanding.

Types of Diction

High/Formal: Elevated language, free from slang, with polysyllabic words and sophisticated syntax.
Neutral: Standard language without elaborate vocabulary; may contain contradictions.
Informal/Low: Everyday conversational language; incorporates slang and idioms.
Slang: Recently coined words common in informal settings.
Colloquial: Nonstandard language variations suitable for informal speech.
Jargon: Specialized terms associated with specific fields or professions.
Dialect: Regional language variations with unique vocabularies and grammatical rules.
Concrete: Specific terms that describe tangible qualities or conditions.
Abstract: Language that conveys ideas or emotions that are intangible.
Denotation: The literal, dictionary definition of a word.
Connotation: The emotional and associative meanings linked to a word beyond its literal meaning.

Imagery Techniques

Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds within words.
Metonymy: Using a related term to stand for another.
Analogy: Drawing comparisons between two different things based on shared characteristics.

Language Techniques

Euphemism: A milder substitution for a harsh or offensive term.
Aphorism: A succinct statement conveying a general truth, often in a memorable way.
Paradox: A statement that can simultaneously possess contradictory characteristics.

Syntax Techniques

Rhetorical Question: Posits a question that is not meant to be answered, often used for effect.
Declarative: A straightforward statement or assertion.
Imperative: A command or directive.
Interrogative: A question form, inviting response.
Simple Sentence: Contains a single subject and verb.
Loose Sentence: Presents details after the main clause, often indicating immediacy.
Periodic Sentence: Introduces details before the main clause, often suggesting retrospection.
Juxtaposition: Places contrasting ideas or images side by side for effect.
Parallelism: Uses similar structures to emphasize related ideas.
Repetition: Reiterates words or phrases to create rhythm or emphasis.
Telegraphic: Extremely short sentences (fewer than 5 words).
Short: Sentences around five words in length.
Medium: Sentences approximately 18 words long.
Long and Involved: Extended sentences exceeding 30 words, often complex in structure.

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Description

Test your knowledge of DIDLS, a framework for analyzing how diction, imagery, details, language, and syntax contribute to tone in literary works. Use these flashcards to familiarize yourself with key concepts and improve your understanding of literary analysis.