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ENC 1101 - Bielecki: Diction

Resources discussed and demonstrated during Ms. Bielecki's ENC 1101 courses' library orientation, as well as composition and grammar resources

Diction

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.

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
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
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

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

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

Help from HCC's Tutors

ASCs (local)
Smarthinking (online)

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

Embedded video not working? Please email URLs of the video and this page to jbielecki@hccfl.edu.

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

Diction: Videos

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

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

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

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

Last Updated: Jan 15, 2021 12:55 PM
URL: https://libguides.hccfl.edu/bielecki1101
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Subjects: English Composition (1101), Ybor City Campus