Abstract
The paper labels the use of complex diction as a form of academic elitism that only allows a select group of people to understand what the author is saying. The paper provides a passage of complex diction to illustrate how such language forces the reader to puzzle over the meaning of individual words instead of focusing on the point of the argument. The paper contends that the information buried underneath prestigious words and labyrinthine sentences needs to be reworded to the extent that it is accessible to individuals from outside any given discourse community.

From the Paper
"Not being able to understand something because it is written in a different language is similar to not being able to understand convoluted sentences written by individuals with an unusually large vocabulary in your own language; it looks foreign and is most likely difficult to pronounce. The truth of the matter is that when complex diction is employed, only a select group of people will be able to understand what the author is saying. The author of any work must be aware of their intended audience and write accordingly. Unfortunately, for those individuals who are not privy to such high-minded rhetoric, they will be excluded outright from participating in such discourse communities, whether they be academic or otherwise. The use of complex diction is a form of academic elitism, however well-intentioned it might be. Its use is deliberate and its consequences known. The use of complex diction is often unnecessary in academic writing because it can distract the readers in that it forces them to puzzle over the meaning of individual words instead of focusing on the point of the argument, as was stated in the very first sentence."

Tags:language, words, sentences, discourse, communication, dictionary

Abstract
This paper examines how poems are one of the most powerful ways to convey an idea, message or opinion and how the poem "Dulce et Decorum Est", a war poem by Wilfred Owen, makes effective use of these devices. It looks at how Owen's use of precise diction emphasizes his point, showing that war is a horrible and devastating event and how his use of extremely graphic images adds more to his argument. It also analyzes Owen's use of punctuation to create texture in the poem in order to express strong meaning and a persuasive argument of the dark side of war.

From the Paper
"The author's use of excellent diction helps to clearly define what the author is saying. (Fulwiler and Hayakawa 163) Powerful verbs like "guttering", "choking", and "drowning" not only show how the man is suffering, but that he is in a great deal of pain that no human being should endure. Other words like "writhing" and "froth-corrupted" hint to exactly how the man is being tormented by his enemy, as well as himself. The phrase "blood shod" forces the image of men who have been on their feet for days, never stopping to rest long enough to recuperate. "

Tags:images, punctuation, graphic, images

Abstract
This essay analyzes the diction of "Katherine" by Anya Seton in terms of whether the language is concrete or abstract, whether the words have interesting connotations, whether the diction is formal or colloquial and what inferences can be drawn about the speaker from the word choice of the speaker.

Tags:katherine, diction

Abstract
This research paper focuses on the language of Herman Melville's "The Lightning-Rod Man". The author examines diction, characterization, and description, and how Melville uses these aspects to portray the theme and religious symbolism of the story. Also includes short comparison to John Milton's "Paradise Regained".

From the Paper
"Herman Melville's short story, "The Lightning-Rod Man," first appeared in Putnam's Monthly Magazine in August of 1854 and was later published in Melville's The Piazza Tales in 1856 (Verdier, 273). It seems all critics have a different opinion of the story. One anonymous critic said, "The Lightning-Rod Man" a story which excited great attention when originally published in Putnam's Monthly" (Parker, 83). One the other hand, another anonymous critic said," "The Lightning-Rod Man" is a very flat recital which we should never have suspected Melville of producing, had it not been put forth under the sanction of his name" (Parker, 81). Critics also differ in what they think is the theme of the story, but most will agree that Melville creates religious symbolism through his diction and characterization. Verdier says, "the tale may be seen as a confrontation between Good and Evil" (274), which the story, on an emblematic level, most definitely is. Through description and diction, the narrator is understood as a follower of God, someone who believes in The Almighty watching over him. On the other hand, the lightning-rod man is seen as a negative character, someone who only has faith in the product he's peddling. Symbolically, the lightning-rod man is representative of Satan himself. "

Tags:affirmation, allegory, analysis, beliefs, biblical, characterization, christian, citation, devil, diction, emblematic, evil, faith, god, good, herman, morals, paper, religion, representation, research, satan, short, spiritual, story, symbolism, tone, values

Abstract
This paper examines how J.D. Salinger effectively uses diction, imagery and symbolism in his classic work, "Catcher in the Rye", to convey his overall message that despite the risks, we should not be afraid to pursue our dreams and reach out with the hope of attaining them. The paper specifically focuses on Salinger's use of the first-person point of view, colloquialism, imagery, and symbolism and their effect on the reader.

From the Paper
"Salinger's use of the first-person point of view, presented through Holden's eyes, is an important means by which Salinger conveys his message. Salinger chose to write in this point of view so that we can see what Holden sees and to thereby better comprehend his thoughts and emotions. As a result, Holden is able to speak directly to the reader about anything he wants to, using direct characterization. By using the first-person point of view, Salinger is also able to present to the reader Holden's biased opinion about things without having to present the actual facts as would be necessary in a third-person point of view. Holden, himself, therefore, is able to take us directly to the places he wants to take us and to tell us whatever he chooses. "

Tags:Holden, Caulfield, Pheobe

Abstract
This paper discusses Andrew Marvell's poem, "To his Coy Mistress," which was written from a man to his recalcitrant lover. The paper first describes the plot of the poem and the characters who are involved. The paper then discusses Marvell's use of metaphors, diction and figures of speech and how he uses these to portray emotional intensity in the poem.

From the Paper
""To his Coy Mistress" is a poem written by Andrew Marvell from a man to his recalcitrant lover. The poem seems set in the midst of a long-standing argument about the appropriate pace of their courtship. He begins by flattering her, but by the middle appears too worked up to conceal his exasperation with her failure to put out. He seems, however, to save face at the end of the poem by describing in somewhat ecstatic terms what it would be like if she were to submit to him. Marvell tells the story of this argument by attributing to his speaker a set of concise and evocative metaphors. The pace of the conversation being had and its emotional intensity are both signaled and produced by his use of diction and figures of speech."

Tags:argument, lover, courtship

Abstract
This paper discusses the theme of spatial order in Wallace Stevens' poem "Anecdote of the Jar" and in lines 87-115 in Act I Scene 3 of William Shakespeare's play "Troilus and Cressida." Tone, diction, and point of view are examined as well.

Tags:spatial, order

Abstract
This paper argues that the image of the speaker in Langston Hughes' s"The Negro Speaks of Rivers" as a wise figure representing the black community throughout the ages is conveyed not only in the poem's title, but also its concrete and plain diction, its repetition, and its free verse form.

From the Paper
"The speaker's use of repetition relays the serious tone of the poem and the communal wisdom of the Black community. The poem's repetition is very formulaic, much like the oral traditions and histories passed down by African griots. The repetition drives home the point to the audience as well as tying the story together and making it easier for the griot to remember. The speaker begins by asserting, "I've known rivers", a phrase that is repeated at the beginning of lines two and eight."

Tags:criticism, harlem

Abstract
This paper looks at the way Nathaniel Hawthorne uses literary devices, such as diction (word choice), symbolism/archetypes, and characterization to craft "Young Goodman Brown" and create the atmosphere of that classic short story. Includes direct quotes and examples.

From the Paper
"Psalms 58:3 states, "The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies." Men evil from birth possess a predetermined destiny toward baseness. This belief provides one of the fundamental strongholds of Puritanism. However, such a statement also implies the opposite; the good come into this world good, members of the elect. The New England Puritans carried their ideals all the way to the New World with them. Perhaps their smaller communities and greater dependency on each other made the reliance on the faith of salvation even more important to them. In a dreary New England village, an afterlife would seem very appealing. To achieve this goal, most New Englanders strove for purity, trying to live life without sin. People such as young Goodman Brown lived almost immaculately, but hid guilt (or at least, the capability of it) under their holy facades. Nathaniel Hawthorne, in his parody "Young Goodman Brown," employs several literary devices to convey the message that all people have the inclination toward vile sin."

Tags:figurative, language, puritan, sin, symbol

From the Paper
"Although there is no conclusive evidence connecting the 154 works, Shakespeare's sonnet sequence appears to follow a general outline. It is possible that Shakespeare includes himself as the author in the trio of characters introduced throughout the sequence. Initially, the sonnets are based on a young poet who is being persuaded to start a family. After doing so, it is stated that he will be made eternal by his descendants and by the author's praise of him. Then, in the following sequence of sonnets, Shakespeare reveals a homosexual relationship between the young poet and the author. Following their relationship, the theme shifts to a rival poet. The final twenty sonnets introduce yet another character known as the "dark lady." She is the subject of Shakespeare's Sonnet #138. "

Tags:atmosphere, diction, pun, tone