Diction (Word Choice)

This page covers the topic of diction or word choice, including clarity, concision, tone, and problems with slang, dialect (colloquial language), pretentious language (unnecessarily big or fancy words), jargon, sensitive (e.g., sexist, racist, ageist) language, inexact (vague) language, wordiness, redundancy, and trite expressions (clichés). Further down the page, find links to online writing labs (OWLs), information on how to get HCC's free tutoring in person or online, and embedded videos. For more information on audience, purpose, genre, style, and tone, click the "Writing" tab.

Chapter 18.3: Diction
from our online textbook, Composition and Grammar for HCC by HCC
Chapter 18.4: Clarity and Conciseness
from our online textbook, Composition and Grammar for HCC by HCC
Chapter 18.5: Tone
from our online textbook, Composition and Grammar for HCC by HCC

Diction Slide Show This slide show covers the following: 1. Slang and Dialect (Colloquial Language) 2. Pretentious Language (Jargon or Unnecessarily Big Words) 3. Sensitive Language (e.g., Sexist, Racist, Ageist) 4. Inexact (Vague) Language 5. Wordy and Redundant Language 6. Trite Expressions (Clichés)

Diction: OWL Overviews

Excelsior College: Wrong Word
How to avoid using the wrong words
GuideToGrammar.org: Avoiding Bias
How to use unbiased language
GuideToGrammar.org: Specific Lang.
How to be specific and clear
GuideToGrammar.org: Tone
How to set an appropriate tone
MLA.org: "Their, There, and They're"
Explanation and examples of these homophones with a quiz at the end
Purdue University: Changing Phrases
How to be brief
Purdue University: Concision
How to use the most effective words
Purdue University: Eliminating Words
How to be brief
Purdue University: Gendered Pronouns
How to avoid he or she
Univ. of IL, Springfield: Commonly Confused Words
A list of commonly confused words with explanations for the top ten
UNC at Chapel Hill: Word Choice
How to choose the right words
University of Ottawa: Diction
How to choose the best words, avoid catch phrases, and understand connotation and denotation

Broken links? Please email the URLs of that link and this page to jbielecki@hccfl.edu.

Diction: OWL Practice Exercises

Ambiguity with Parts of Speech from MLA.org
Explanation of why word choice is important and a quiz to test your skills
GuideToGrammar.org: Diction
Brief quiz on various diction issues
GuideToGrammar.org: Sensitive Lang.
Practice using gender-neutral language
Purdue University: Concision
Printable quiz on eliminating wordiness
University of Ottawa: Diction
Practice using academic language

Our Changing Language

Broken links? Please email the URLs of that link and this page to jbielecki@hccfl.edu.

Academic Success Centers (Tutoring)
Info on and links to HCC's ASCs
Schedule an appointment with the Ybor City ASC

Questions? 813-253-7741 or yborsuccess@hccfl.edu

Broken links? Please email the URLs of that link and this page to jbielecki@hccfl.edu.

Upswing is an online tutoring service to which all HCC students are subscribed. Call 844-879-8779 for tech support.

Upswing Knowledge Base
Technical help with the online tutoring service
more...less...
See also https://hccfl.upswing.io/

Video or link not working? Please email URL to jbielecki@hccfl.edu.

Diction: Videos

For more information on audience, as well as genre, purpose, style, and tone in writing, click the "Writing" tab.

Embedded video not working? Email the page's URL to jbielecki@hccfl.edu.

For more information on tone, as well as audience, genre, purpose, and style in writing, click the "Writing" tab.

Embedded video not working? Email the page's URL to jbielecki@hccfl.edu.

"Expletive Constructions" from Univ of TX at San Antonio
This site provides a straightforward explanation of why and how to avoid vague "There is/are" or "Here is/are" sentence structures.
"Avoiding Vague Expletive Wording" from Troy University
This PDF explains this type of vague wording and gives examples of "It is," "That is/was," and "These are/were" sentences with fixes.

Embedded video not working? Email the page's URL to jbielecki@hccfl.edu.

"Concision and Simplicity" from Duke Univ.
This lesson demonstrates the benefits of making writing more direct and has a practice at the end.
Directness from Walden U.
This page explains why concise, straightforward writing is important and provides an exercise to help you practice writing directly.
"Overlong Sentences" from Univ. of Hull, England
This site gives a brief explanation of the importance of sentence length.

Embedded video not working? Email the page's URL to jbielecki@hccfl.edu.

ENC 1101 - Bielecki: Diction (Word Choice)