College Composition / Unit 29 CMP 0713 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Diction and Tone
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The idea
Diction, the writer's word choice, is the main source of tone.
In practice
"The council finally caved" and "the council reconsidered" report the same event with different attitudes toward the council.
Where people slip
Ask why the writer chose this word instead of a synonym; the answer usually reveals tone.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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