Welcome to the World of Diction!
In everyday life, we change our words depending on who we are talking to. You probably speak differently to your best friend than you do to your grandmother or a boss at work. In poetry, this choice of words is called diction. Because poems are usually shorter than novels, poets have to make every single word count. In this chapter, we will explore how specific words and phrases build the "vibe" of a poem and reveal what the speaker is thinking.
1. Literal vs. Figurative Meanings (Skill 5.A)
One of the first things you need to do when reading a poem is distinguish between what a word says on the surface and what it implies underneath. This is the difference between literal and figurative meaning.
Literal Meaning: This is the "dictionary definition." If a poet writes about a "cold wind," the literal meaning is simply that the air temperature is low.
Figurative Meaning: This involves the associations and feelings we attach to words. That same "cold wind" might figuratively represent loneliness, a approaching death, or a harsh change in someone's life.
Why it matters: On the AP Exam, you might be asked to explain how a word shifts from a simple description to a deeper meaning. Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! A good trick is to ask yourself: "If I took this word literally, would the poem still make sense, or is the poet trying to tell me something about an emotion or idea?"
Quick Review:
• Literal: The actual thing being described.
• Figurative: The symbolic or emotional idea the word suggests.
2. The Function of Specific Words and Phrases (Skill 5.B)
In AP English Literature, the "function" of something is just a fancy way of asking, "What is this doing for the poem?" Words aren't just decorations; they have jobs to do!
Specific words can perform several functions:
1. Setting the Tone: A poet choosing the word "shriek" instead of "cry" creates a much more intense, perhaps even terrifying, mood.
2. Building Imagery: Specific nouns and verbs help you "see" the poem. Instead of saying "the flower moved," a poet might say "the goldenrod bowed," which gives the flower a specific shape and movement.
3. Creating Contrast: A poet might use very formal, "fancy" words in one line and then drop in a very "common" or "slang" word in the next to show a conflict or a change in thinking.
Analogy: Think of diction like an outfit. If someone wears a tuxedo to a beach party, the "function" of that outfit choice is to show they are out of place or perhaps trying too hard. If a poet uses a "tuxedo word" in a "beach party poem," they are doing it to make a point!
Key Takeaway: Always ask yourself: "Why this word and not a different one?" If the poet chose "vermilion" instead of "red," they wanted a more specific, perhaps more artistic or intense, feeling.
3. Diction and the Speaker’s Perspective (Skill 4.C)
The words a speaker uses act like a window into their mind. By looking at diction, you can identify the speaker's perspective—their attitude, their background, and how they see the world.
How to spot perspective through diction:
• Degree of Certainty: Does the speaker use words like "always," "never," and "must"? This suggests a confident or perhaps stubborn perspective. Or do they use words like "perhaps," "maybe," or "seemed"? This reveals a hesitant or curious perspective.
• Emotional Weight: Are the words "heavy" (gloom, burden, leaden) or "light" (flutter, breeze, ethereal)? This tells you the speaker's current emotional state.
• Level of Formality: A speaker using complex, academic language might be seen as distant or intellectual. A speaker using simple, everyday language might feel more relatable or grounded.
Did you know? The syllabus notes that a speaker's perspective controls the details and emphases of a text. This means the speaker chooses which words to use to make you see things the way they do!
4. Ambiguity: When Words Have Multiple Jobs (Unit 8 Focus)
As you move into more advanced poetry (Unit 8), you'll encounter ambiguity. This happens when a word or phrase is used in a way that it could mean two or more things at once. This isn't a mistake by the poet; it's intentional!
Ambiguity forces the reader to slow down and consider different interpretations. For example, if a poet describes a "bitter morning," are they talking about the freezing temperature (literal), the speaker's angry mood (figurative), or both? Usually, it's both!
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't feel like you have to "pick" one meaning and stick to it. On the AP Exam, explaining why a word is ambiguous can often lead to a more sophisticated argument (the "Row C" point on the essay rubric!).
5. Putting it Together: Analyzing Diction in Your Essays
When you write your Poetry Analysis (Question 1), don't just list the words. You need to connect them to the Big Ideas. Here is a simple step-by-step process:
Step 1: Identify — Pick out a specific, interesting word or phrase.
Step 2: Describe — Is it literal? Figurative? Formal? Harsh? Soft?
Step 3: Explain the Function — How does this word help develop the speaker's perspective or the poem's theme?
Step 4: Connect — How does this word contribute to an interpretation of the poem as a whole?
Formula for a Diction Claim:
\( \text{Specific Word Choice} + \text{Context in Poem} = \text{Revealed Perspective/Theme} \)
Example: "By using the harsh, plosive word 'shatter' to describe a conversation, the poet emphasizes the speaker's feeling of total emotional breakdown."
Summary Checklist
• Can I tell the difference between literal and figurative word use? (Skill 5.A)
• Can I explain what a specific word "does" for the poem? (Skill 5.B)
• Can I see how the speaker's choice of words reveals their perspective? (Skill 4.C)
• Am I looking for words that might have more than one meaning? (Ambiguity)
Note: For more on how words compare things, see the chapter "Comparison: simile, metaphor, personification, allusion." For how words create "pictures," see "Imagery, symbol and extended metaphor."