PART III FORMAL LANGUAGE, DICTION AND STYLE

Formal Language

The use of formal language is essential in technical communication.

Formal language refers to the use of formal words, scientific vocabulary, specialised terminology and formal phrases and expression

In every field of science and technology, there are specific terms and phrases. The jargons (words or expressions used by a particular group or profession) can be used as they are accurate and indispensable tools of communication.

How to write formal language?

Use

formal words

Formal Fortuitous Contemplate Copious Reiterate Elucidate

Neutral fortunate consider many repeat explain

Slang lucky chew on gobs ditto draw you a picture

Formal Dialogue Recalcitrant

Neutral conversation stubborn

Slang rap mule headed

Disconcerting

upsetting

a downer

Avoid

colloquial and informal words and expressions.

Colloquialisms are expressions and grammatical forms used in familiar speech but are not appropriate in formal writing. E g. Free and easy expressions like hold on, contractions like were, abbreviations like para, verb less sentences, omission of subjects, especially pronouns are inappropriate in formal language.

Use appropriate scientific phrases.

Use appropriate technical terms.

Use standard and formal sentence structures. Avoid conversational tone.

DICTION
ORIGIN
It has been derived from a Latin word dictionem which means "a saying, expression, word.

PRIMARY MEANING

The word dicton refers to the writer's or the speaker's distinctive vocabulary choices and style of expression.

SECONDARY MEANING
A secondary, common meaning of "diction" is more precisely expressed with the word enunciation -the art of speaking clearly so that each word is clearly heard and understood to its fullest complexity and extremity.

Primary Meaning concerns word choice and style.

Secondary

Meaning concerns pronunciation and tone.

It can be safely concluded that diction refers to:

word choice style pronunciation tone

Martha Kolln, Rhetorical Grammar. Allyn and Bacon, 1999.

"Diction will be effective only when the words you choose are appropriate for the audience and purpose, when they convey your message accurately and comfortably. The idea of comfort may seem out of place in connection with diction, but, in fact, words can sometimes cause the reader to feel uncomfortable. You've probably experienced such feelings yourself as a listener--hearing a speaker whose words for one reason or another strike you as inappropriate."

Diction has multiple concerns; registerwords being either formal or informal in social contextis foremost.

E.g. :
Literary diction analysis reveals how a passage establishes tone and characterization. A preponderance of verbs relating physical movement suggests an active character. e.g flexed, shook, snapped, shook, held,wiped, clenched, folded.

A preponderance of verbs relating states of mind portrays an introspective character. e.g. knows, believes, thinks, understands, appreciates, likes etc.