Features of childrens stories : DICTION

Week 2

Importance of stories for young learners

 The objectives for introducing the Childrens Contemporary Literature are as follows:
To instill and inculcate the reading habit among pupils. T o enrich pupils vocabulary and language content. To enhance pupils thinking skills. To promote cultural understanding in the Malaysian context To improve English language proficiency of pupils. To provide lively, enjoyable and high-interest readings.

(Pusat Perkembangan Kurikulum, 2006)

Personal and Emotional Gains

Story gives enjoyment. It enriches their understanding of themselves and the world around them. It develops imagination. It helps children make sense of their own experience. It evokes ones feelings on issues related to life.

Learning Gains
It allows children to learn new ideas and knowledge. It adds to their understanding of concepts. It allows children to understand cultural traditions and values and issues in life. It allows children to develop respect for self and others. It encourages them to become aware of their audience.

Language Gains
It helps children develop an awareness of how language works in communication. It helps them develop an understanding of the meaning of words. It allows them to experience new ways of using language that bridges the gap between written and spoken language.

 Diction may be defined simply as the choice of words. (Weafer, 1957:233) Diction is the choice of words, style, and manner of speaking and writing. (Hornby, 1974:239)

Diction is the choice of words and clarity of the sounds produced, to achieve a particular effect. (Hartmann, 1972: 66)

1. They create the color and texture of the written work. 2. They both reflect and determine the level of formality. 3. They shape the readers perceptions. 4. Reflects the writers vision and steers the readers thought.
Source; http://www.mvla.net/teachers/StevenK/Language%20and%20Comp%20AP/Docume nts/AP_Exam_Preparation/Diction.pdf

I. Formal Level
a. Used when addressing a highly educated reader b. consists of a dignified, impersonal, and elevated use of language c. it follows the rules of syntax exactly

II. Standard Level

a. The everyday language that people use, often in semi-formal settings b. Accepted use of conversational English; direct and adheres to rules of grammar

III. Informal level

a. Informal language used in everyday speech b. Conversational language-- certain expressions or phrases that speakers and readers would understand but that are outside the rules of Standard English c. It often includes common and simple words, idioms, slang, jargon, and contractions. d. Example:
Coulda, woulda, shoulda He goes, so ya wanna go out? Aint

Concrete diction

Denotative diction

Types of Diction

Abstract diction

Connotative diction

 Abstract diction: words that do not appeal imaginatively to the reader's senses Concrete diction: words that stimulate some kind of sensory response in the reader Connotative diction: Implicit meaning of words. Consists of suggestions, associations, and emotional overtones attached to a word.
Denotative diction: Exact, literal definition of words independent of any emotional association or secondary meaning.

Example of diction in literature

The Mighty (Folktales for kids)

The concrete diction has stimulate some kind of sensory response in the reader, especially the visual imagery and allows them to construct mental images as they read a text Examples :
At the edge of a forest, stood a big tree. Its branches spread out majestically and so did its roots. It shielded people from the sun under its shady leaves, and provided shelter to countless birds and other small creatures in its branches. It buzzed with activity all the time.

Example of diction in literature

The School by Donald Barthelme.

Consider the choice of words of like "death" and "depressing" set a negative or unhappy tone. Example :

And the trees all died. They were orange trees. I dont know why they died, they just died. Something wrong with the soil possibly or maybe the stuff we got from the nursery wasnt the best. We complained about it. So weve got thirty kids there, each kid had his or her own little tree to plant and weve got these thirty dead trees. All these kids looking at these little brown sticks, it was depressing.