Creative Writing MELC 1
Creative Writing MELC 1
Figures of Speech
and Specific
Experiences
SENSORY IMAGERY
Sensory imagery is a literary
device writers employ to engage
a reader’s mind on multiple
levels. Sensory imagery explores
the five human senses: sight,
sound, taste, touch, and smell.
TYPES OF SENSORY IMAGERY
1. Visual imagery engages the sense
of sight. This is what you can see, and
includes visual descriptions. Physical
attributes including color, size, shape,
lightness and darkness, shadows, and
shade are all part of visual imagery.
2. Gustatory imagery engages
the sense of taste. This is what you
can taste, and includes flavors. This
can include the five basic tastes—
sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami
—as well as the textures and
sensations tied to the act of eating.
3. Tactile imagery engages the
sense of touch. This is what you can
feel, and includes textures and the
many sensations a human being
experiences when touching something.
Differences in temperature is also a
part of tactile imagery.
4. Auditory imagery engages
the sense of hearing. This is the
way things sound. Literary devices
such as onomatopoeia and
alliteration can help create sounds
in writing.
5. Olfactory imagery engages the sense
of smell. Scent is one of the most direct
triggers of memory and emotion, but can be
difficult to write about. Since taste and
smell are so closely linked, you’ll sometimes
find the same words (such as “sweet”) used
to describe both. Simile is common in
olfactory imagery, because it allows writers
to compare a particular scent to common
smells like dirt, grass, manure, or roses.
6. Kinesthetic imagery (a.k.a
kinesthesia) engages the feeling of
movement. This can be similar to tactile
imagery but deals more with full-body
sensations, such as those experienced
during exercise. Rushing water, flapping
wings, and pounding hearts are all
examples of kinesthetic imagery.
DICTION
In writing, diction is the
strategic choice of words
based on the audience,
context, or situation. It can
also express additional
meanings or particular styles.
Diction determines the words you use,
which consequently determines the
writing style and type of tone you use.
Through diction, a writer can sound
friendly or serious, knowledgeable or
clueless, poetic or dry.
DICTION IN WRITING
VS DICTION IN SPEECH
Writing- correct choice of
words
Speech- enunciation or how
well a speaker pronounces a
word
DICTION VS SYNTAX
Diction is often confused with
another language concept, syntax.
While diction deals with the
choice of words, syntax deals with
the arrangement and organization
of words.
9 TYPES OF DICTION IN
WRITING
1.Formal diction uses the proper
definitions of words in a mostly
serious tone. This is the style of
workplaces, schools, and other formal
environments.
Ex. Respectfully, I must disagree.
2. Informal diction is the opposite
of formal diction; it involves the playful
use of words, including jokes and
wordplay. Informal diction is the way you
talk to the people closest to you.
Ex. No way, that’s not true at all.
3. Pedantic diction uses an excessive
amount of academic or “big” words, as if
the speaker is trying to prove how smart
they are. Pedantic diction comes across
as arrogant in real life, but it’s
nonetheless useful as a writing tool.
Ex. In examination of your stance, I have
identified some critical errors that I will now
expound on.
4. Pedestrian diction is considered the
opposite of pedantic; instead of trying to
sound smart, it’s trying to sound normal or
common. Pedestrian diction, which doesn’t
use fancy words or slang, is thought to be
how regular people talk.
Ex. I understand what you’re saying, but
there’s something very important that
you’re missing.
5. Slang is an extension of informal diction,
encompasses words and phrases that only a
particular type of person understands. Slang is
often divided by generation, such as “sussy,”
used by Gen Z, and “nifty,” used by baby
boomers. Slang can also encompass
business jargon, which is slang that’s understood
only by people in a certain profession or trade.
Ex. You’re full of it!
6. Colloquial diction refers to specific words or
phrases used in particular geographical locations.
For example, people in the Northeast and on the
West Coast of the US use the word “soda,” those
in the Northwest and Midwest say “pop,” and
those in the Deep South use “coke” as a generic
term
7. Abstract diction refers to discussing
something intangible, like an idea or
emotion. It’s hard to put abstract
thoughts into words, so abstract diction
often comes across as vague or
ambiguous.
Ex. What you said doesn’t feel right.
8. Concrete diction uses specific and direct
language with minimal ambiguity. Concrete
diction describes things as they are,
adhering to the proper definitions of words
and citing only the facts.
Ex. I understand that you believe you are correct,
but you are missing a necessary piece of
information.
9. Poetic diction makes use of rhymes,
rhythm, and phonetics to make words
sound pleasing together. While it’s out of
place in everyday speech and writing, it’s a
necessary element of many creative
outlets such as poetry, song lyrics, rap, and
to some extent speechwriting.
Ex. What a foolish and ignorant thing you just said
Hear my rebuttal and your cheeks will burn red
FIGURES OF SPEECH
Figures of Speech is an intentional
deviation from ordinary language,
chosen to produce a rhetorical effect.
It is a word or phrase used in a non-
literal sense for rhetorical or vivid
effect.
TYPES OF FIGURES OF SPEECH