Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

Lesson 1.2
Formal and Informal Words in Creative Writing
Contents
Introduction 1

Learning Objectives 2

Let’s Begin 3

Discover 5
Diction 5
Formal Diction 6
Informal Diction 7
Colloquial Diction 8
Slang Diction 9
Pedantic Diction 10
Poetic Diction 11
Concrete Diction 13
Abstract Diction 13

Wrap-Up 15

Try This! 16

Practice Your Writing Skills 17

Bibliography 20
Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

Lesson 1.2

Formal and Informal Words in

Creative Writing

Introduction
Imagine a world without words. Is it possible to express our thoughts and feelings without
them? We know that we can. A message that relies heavily on words, whether oral or
written, can be transformed into something that is not composed of words. Have you ever
played charades? The rule of the game is simple: You need to act out the words and
phrases written on a piece of paper while your teammates guess what it is. Nevertheless, it
will take some time for them to understand the message you are trying to convey.

Words are important to specify and clarify what we think and feel. Actions are not enough

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Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

to express ourselves fully. For example, we can directly point at our stomach to indicate
that we are hungry, but how can we express that we want to eat a specific type of chocolate
to satisfy our craving without using words at all? We may find it challenging to do so since
we cannot easily act out the difference between dark chocolate that is 60% cacao and one
that is 86%.

Writers know how powerful words are. That is why they are passionate about learning new
words and expanding their vocabulary. Furthermore, they are meticulous about when to
use them. No matter how interchangeable words are, each of them generates a different
effect on the readers. For example, the words gorgeous and pretty may both mean
“beautiful,” but the sentence “You are gorgeous” has a stronger impact on us than the
sentence “You are pretty.” This effect has something to do with the concept of diction,
which we'll explore further in this lesson.

Learning Objectives DepEd Learning Competency

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to use
In this lesson, you should be able to do the imagery, diction, figures of speech, and specific
following: experiences to evoke meaningful responses from
readers (HUMSS_CW/MP11/12-Ia-b-4).
● Be familiar with the types of
diction.
● Evaluate what type of diction a
writer uses in a text.
● Use a specific type of diction in
an original work.

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Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

Let’s Begin

Yas, Kween! (I mean, “Yes, Your Majesty!”) 10 minutes

The author’s point of view or individual writing style can be seen in the way he or she
meticulously selects words in order to convey a message. Let us check if you can use your
knowledge of word choice in doing the tasks below:

Instructions
1. What you can see in the table below are word pairs. Create sentences for each of
them. The sentence that contains the first word in each word pair should be written
in number one; the other one should be written in number two. The first one has
been done for you.
2. After completing the task, please answer the succeeding questions.

Word Pair Sentences

dramatic - extra 1. Alex’s reaction to the news that he was no longer top of the
class was extremely dramatic.
2. Marian is so extra; have you seen her dress made entirely
of sequins?

man - dude 1. ______________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________

sure - betcha 1. ______________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________

splendid - lit 1. ______________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________

questionable - sus 1. ______________________________________________________________

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2. ______________________________________________________________

Guide Questions
1. What do you think is the difference between the first and the second word in each
word pair?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

2. Are all of these words suitable for creating imaginative texts? Explain your answer.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

3. Do you think that there are specific rules that we need to follow regarding word
choice in creating imaginative texts? Explain your answer.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

Discover
The words diction and word are two interconnected concepts both in language and
literature. In linguistics, diction has to do with a person’s manner of speaking. It is usually
assessed based on the existing standards of pronunciation. In literature, it is a rhetorical
device concerned with selecting and utilizing words in dialogue and narration. In other
words, it is what we call word choice. In this lesson, we will be focusing on diction as a
literary concept. Now, to become a better imaginative writer, we need to answer the
following questions with regard to diction.

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Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

What is the purpose of diction used in imaginative

writing? What are its types?

Diction
Diction, or word choice, has an immense effect on the text an imaginative writer creates. It
makes literature distinct from other forms of writing, as discussed in the first lesson. Unlike
technical, academic, and professional writing, imaginative writing can consist of words that
are poetic, slang, and colloquial. Furthermore, diction helps to amplify the setting, the
characters, and the narrative voice and tone of a story. It means that it brings these
elements to life. It helps the writer to become accurate, precise, concrete, and appropriate
as he or she writes. Thus, according to Menoy (2016), “he whose vocabulary is limited grope
for the right words to complete his paper” (11). Now, why are accuracy, precision,
concreteness, and appropriateness in diction important? Let us go through these concepts
one by one.

Accuracy is defined as the careful use of words to express meaning. We become inaccurate
when we use words that should be not used in a particular context. For instance, it is
common to make mistakes in the usage of their, there, and they’re. An imaginative writer
should always verify the accuracy of the words he or she uses. In this way, the reader will
not be confused about the idea the writer wants to express.

Precision, on the other hand, is the exactness of the words we use to express meaning. For
example, we can say that the sentence “Leila is eating a fruit.” is accurate but not precise. To
achieve precision, we can substitute the word apple with the word fruit. In this case,
precision enables us to imagine what Leila is doing more clearly. Now, please bear in mind
that precision can only be adequately utilized if we are familiar with the context of the
literary work we are writing. Factors such as age, gender, culture, and geography should be
considered for the text to become precise.

Appropriateness is the ability of words to achieve the purpose of the imaginative text while
considering the target audience. It means that we need to choose words that will highlight

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Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

our intention and make an impression on our readers. Suppose we want to create the
impression that the antagonist of the story we are creating is evil and arrogant. In that case,
we can make him or her say words that are insulting and derogatory to emphasize his or
her characteristics.

Concreteness is the ability of words to stimulate the readers’ senses. Concreteness helps
the readers to experience what they are reading. For example, the sentence “Ella has
beautiful eyes” can be transformed into “Ella has big, blue eyes,” making it more appealing
to our senses. However, this does not mean that we should not use abstract words
anymore. This idea will be discussed in the latter part of this lesson.

Now that we already know why diction is important in imaginative writing, let us examine its
types. There are eight common types of diction: informal diction, colloquial diction, slang
diction, pedantic diction, poetic diction, concrete diction, and abstract diction. How can we
distinguish them from each other?

Formal Diction
Formal diction is the use of sophisticated, professional, and sublime language in a text.
According to Literary Terms (n.d.), “When you are writing an essay, dissertation, business
letter, or other formal communication, it’s important to use formal diction” (para. 7). Proper
grammar and complex sentence structure are present in this type of diction. To determine
how formal diction works in a text, please read the excerpt below.

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in

possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
However little known the feelings or views of such a man acknowledged
may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so (adjective):
well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is perceived as
considered as the rightful property of some one or other of existing or being
their daughters. true

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An excerpt from Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

The given excerpt shows how Austen used formal diction to explain that the families in the
neighborhood where the main characters live are convinced that every rich man wants to
get married someday and that these men will be married to one of their daughters.

Informal Diction
Informal diction is the use of natural, realistic, and conversational language in a text.
According to LiteraryDevices Editors (n.d.), this type of diction “is often used by writers to
portray real-life communication or dialogue between realistic characters, and it is often
utilized in narrative literary forms such as short fiction and novels” (para. 5). To determine
how informal diction works in a text, please read the excerpt below.

Once upon a time and a very good time it was there was a
moocow coming down along the road and this moocow that moocow
was coming down along the road met a nicens little boy (noun): a cow
named baby tuckoo....

nicens
His father told him that story: his father looked at him
(adjective): nice
through a glass: he had a hairy face.

An excerpt from A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

James Joyce

Notice how informal diction is presented in the given excerpt. It is written as if it were a child
narrating the story. Words such as moocow and nicens are informal words a young individual
might unintentionally use as he or she tries to speak clearly.

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Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

Check Your Progress

What is the difference between formal diction and informal
diction?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Colloquial Diction
Colloquial diction is the use of informal language that is linked to a specific region and/or
time period in a text. Let us take a look at the excerpt below.

The next morning Ka Pedro held a gapi. He procured a white

procured
dumalaga chicken and had it dressed. Then he asked Rufo to
(verb): acquired
gather tuba from a nearby sugar palm. The tuba came in
something,
three large bowls of coconut shell, and this with the chicken,
especially with
spread on banana leaves in a winnowing basket, some soft
great effort
meat of a roasted pig, a platter heaped with steaming rice,
and some buyo leaves and betel nut, completed the food-
offering. winnowing
“It is indeed the very best that we can give now to the basket (noun): a
Spirits,” said Tatay Kanut, and with that he strutted off with it basket used to
to the clearing. The men watched him till he disappeared separate rice or
among the tall, grey trunks of the trees. “See his shaky legs!” grain from the
said Rufo. “He walks like a lame simarong!” chaff

An excerpt from “Life and Death in a Mindoro Kaingin”

N. V. M. Gonzalez

The italicized words shown in the given excerpt are not English words. They are Filipino
words, which are used in the story to highlight its natural and friendly tone. This would not
have been achieved if Gonzalez had used the English translation of these words. The whole

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Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

story would have sounded awkward.

Slang Diction
Slang diction is the use of informal language that is restricted to a particular context or
group of people in a text. Let us take a look at the excerpt below.

On Sunday morning while church bells rang in the villages

alongshore, the world and its mistress returned to Gatsby’s
house and twinkled hilariously on his lawn.
bootlegger
“He’s a bootlegger,” said the young ladies, moving
(adverb): a person
somewhere between his cocktails and his flowers. “One time
who illegally
he killed a man who had found out that he was nephew to
makes, distributes,
Von Hindenburg and second cousin to the devil. Reach me a
and sells alcohol.
rose, honey, and pour me a last drop into that there crystal
glass.

An excerpt from The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald

The word bootlegger was a slang term in America during the 1920s. It refers to a person who
sells alcohol illegally. It was known as such because the soldiers would try to sneak bottles
of alcohol into the military camps by hiding them inside their boots. Today, bootlegger refers
to someone who illegally makes and distributes not only alcohol, but all kinds of goods, such
as luxury bags and movie discs.

Writing Tip
Are you still confused about the difference between colloquial
diction and slang diction? To help you with this, you need to
remember that both slang and colloquial language use informal
words and expressions. Slang language is used within a particular

1.2. Formal and Informal Words in Creative Writing 9

Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

social group (e.g., a group of friends, netizens who use similar apps).
In contrast, colloquial language is used within a particular
community that uses a distinct regional dialect (e.g., British English,
Canadian English).

Before creating an imaginative text about a place, we first need to

research the regional and social dialects within it to paint a more
vivid picture for the readers.

Pedantic Diction
Pedantic diction is the use of highly complex or scholarly language in a text. It is often used
in portraying educated characters while they talk. Let us take a look at the excerpt below.

Algae are rarely thought of as remarkable plants, when and

if they’re thought of at all. Attitudes seemingly haven’t
changed all that much since the eighteenth century; people
were as blasé about algae then as they are now. blasé (noun):
unresponsive to
Given such an unremarkable status, it is surprising to find something
that a single species of algae managed to catalyze major because they have
eighteenth-century discoveries concerning photosynthesis seen it so
and embryogenesis, especially in light of the fact that the repeatedly before
naturalists responsible for these discoveries only stumbled
upon this alga while looking for something else entirely. The
species in question — a fine, light to dark green, filamentous
aquatic plant, about a half inch in length, that clumps
decumbent
together by the thousands into decumbent, interwoven
(adjective): a stem
mats that look like wet felt — was often (but not always)
lying flat with its
identified at the time as Conferva fontinalis. (It’s now
tip growing
identified as Vaucheria fontinalis, a species of yellow-green
upwards
algae.)

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Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

An excerpt from “Visions of Algae in Eighteenth-Century Botany”

Ryan Feigenbaum

You will notice in the given excerpt that the text is academic. The usage of the French word
blasé and the scientific words photosynthesis and embryogenesis suggest that the writer is
highly educated.

Poetic Diction
Poetic diction is the use of descriptive and lyrical language to create a mellifluous sound.
The words used in a text that highlight this type of diction should be related to its theme
and picked in a way that agrees with the elements of the text’s structure (i.e. meter and
rhythm). Let us take a look at the excerpt below.

Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness,

Thou foster-child of silence and slow time,
Sylvan historian, who canst thus express
A flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme:
What leaf-fring'd legend haunts about thy shape
Of deities or mortals, or of both,
In Tempe or the dales of Arcady?
What men or gods are these? What maidens loth?
loth
What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape?
(adjective):
What pipes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy?
loath

timbrels
(noun): small
hand drums

An excerpt from “Ode to a Grecian Urn”

John Keats

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Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

This stanza states that the urn, which is the subject of the poem, has lived its life in solitude.
It means that it has been in a quiet place for so long. Nevertheless, the urn is still in great
condition and does not have any cracks or blemishes. You may ask, “How did Keats turn this
simple idea into an art?” The answer lies in his way of using words to create an ode that
describes the beauty of the urn. Aside from using figurative language, he used rhyming
words to make the poem lyrical. Therefore, in using poetic diction in creating a text, such as
a conventional poem, we must consider both its content and structure.

Check Your Progress

What is the difference between pedantic diction and poetic diction?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Concrete Diction
Concrete diction is the use of words in their literal or denotative meaning. Furthermore, it
involves words that appeal to our senses. Consider this excerpt below.

He drained his third cup of watery tea to the dregs and set
dregs (noun):
to chewing the crusts of fried bread that were scattered near
sediments in a
him, staring into the dark pool of the jar. The yellow dripping
liquid
had been scooped out like a boghole and the pool under it
brought back to his memory the dark turfcoloured water of
the bath in Clongowes. The box of pawn tickets at his elbow boghole
had just been rifled and he took up idly one after another in (noun): a hole in a
his greasy fingers the blue and white dockets, scrawled and land surface that
sanded and creased and bearing the name of the pledger as contains a spongy
Daly or MacEvoy. bottom

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Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

An excerpt from A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

James Joyce

Notice how Joyce used concrete words for the readers to sense what is happening in the
story. The actions are very detailed, so we can easily imagine or visualize the narrative. This
is how concrete diction works. It is accurate, precise, and specific.

Abstract Diction
Abstract diction is the use of intangible words in a text to explain or express an idea or
emotion. Consider this excerpt below.

Because I could not stop for Death,

He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.

haste (noun):
We slowly drove, he knew no haste, rapidity of motion
And I had put away
My labor, and my leisure too,
For his civility. civility
(noun): courtesy
or politeness

An excerpt from “The Chariot”

Emily Dickinson

In these stanzas, Dickinson used abstract words such as death and immortality. These words
are intangible or abstract. However, she successfully explained the fact that death is
inevitable by portraying the two of them as characters riding in a carriage. This proves that
an imaginative writer should create a balance between concrete and abstract language as
he or she creates a text to explain his or her thoughts and feelings.

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Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

Check Your Progress

What is the difference between concrete diction and abstract
diction?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Wrap-Up
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
● Diction, or word choice, is a type of literary device concerned with the meticulous
selection of words and phrases to convey a message. The author’s point of view or
individual writing style is shown through the way he or she uses diction. Diction helps
to amplify the setting, the characters, and the narrative voice and tone of a story. It
also helps the writer to become accurate, precise, concrete, and appropriate as he or
she writes.
● Formal diction is the use of sophisticated, professional, and sublime language, while
informal diction is the use of natural, realistic, and conversational language in a
text.
● Colloquial diction is the use of informal language, which is linked to a specific region
and/or time period. In contrast, slang diction is the use of informal language, which
is restricted to a particular context or social group of people.
● Pedantic diction is the use of highly complex or scholarly language, while poetic
diction is the use of descriptive and lyrical language to create a mellifluous sound in
a text.
● Concrete diction is the use of words in their literal or denotative meaning, while
abstract diction is the use of intangible words in a text to explain or express an idea
or emotion.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

1.2. Formal and Informal Words in Creative Writing 14

Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

Try This!
A. True or False. Write true if the statement is true. Otherwise, write false. Your answers
must be based on the nature of the sentences provided in the box.

1. It is a pleasure to meet you, young lady.

2. Hey man, you good?
3. Idk if Chris likes me or not, but every time he’s with me, he acts sus.
4. I ain’t seen Mitch doin’ that thing to you.
5. On that day, my soul grew silent; silent it may be, but it torments my dreams.
6. Based on our analysis, Sarah is infected with geohelminthiasis.
7. The black roses in the earthen jar are very captivating.
8. Life is meaningful; remember that.

_________________ 1. The first sentence uses formal diction.

_________________ 2. The third sentence uses pedantic diction.

_________________ 3. The fifth sentence uses poetic diction.

_________________ 4. The seventh sentence uses abstract diction.

_________________ 5. The second sentence uses informal diction.

_________________ 6. The fourth sentence uses colloquial diction.

_________________ 7. The sixth sentence uses slang diction.

_________________ 8. The eighth sentence uses concrete diction.

_________________ 9. The fifth sentence uses pedantic diction.

_________________ 10. The fourth sentence uses informal diction.

1.2. Formal and Informal Words in Creative Writing 15

Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

B. Identification. Identify the concept being described in each item. Write the correct
answer on the provided space before each number.

_________________ 1. It is also known as diction.

_________________ 2. It is the ability of words to achieve the purpose of the imaginative

text while considering the target audience.

_________________ 3. It is the careful use of words to express meaning.

_________________ 4. It is the ability of the words to stimulate the readers’ senses.

_________________ 5. It is the exactness of the words we use to express meaning.

Practice Your Writing Skills

A mini-saga is a type of fiction that is shorter than a drabble. It must be exactly 50 words
long (not including the title).

Create a mini-saga using one of the three writing prompts below. You will be graded
according to the following criteria: (a) mini-saga mechanics, (b) plot development, (c)
grammar and punctuation, and (d) writing discipline.

Writing Tips
These are some of the methods that you might consider in creating
a mini-saga to maintain its brevity:
1. Use the active voice, not the passive voice of the verb.
2. Use contractions (e.g., using the word would’ve instead of the
phrase would have).
3. Use punctuations instead of words (e.g., using the semicolon
symbol instead of the word and).

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Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

4. Use subject pronouns (e.g., using the word they instead of the
phrase her friends).
5. Create a complex sentence instead of a set of simple sentences to
explain an idea.

1. Title: Never Again - Create a story about something that will never happen again in
the future. Use either concrete or abstract diction.
2. Title: The Urban Legend - Create a story based on a well-known humorous or
horrifying rumor. Use either formal or informal diction.
3. Title: The Lie - Create a story about an intentionally false statement that someone
told to his family or friends. Use either slang or colloquial diction.

Title: _________________________________________________________________________________________

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Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

Suggested Rubric for Grading

The rubric below is a suggested one. Your teacher may modify this rubric based on your
needs. Consult your teacher for the final rubric.

Performance Levels

1 2 3 Suggested
Criteria Score
Beginning Proficient Advanced Weight
Proficiency Proficiency

Mini-Saga The created text is The created text is The created text is
longer or shorter than longer or shorter than exactly 50 words
Mechanics ×3
50 words by 10 or 50 words by one to long.
more words. nine words.

Plot The writer struggles The writer makes a The writer

to bring the story of decent attempt to successfully brings
Development his or her chosen bring the story of his the story of his or
prompt to life. The or her chosen prompt her chosen prompt
×3
plot is vague. to life. The plot is to life. The plot is
satisfactorily well-written and
expounded on. expounded on
clearly.

Grammar and The mini-saga has The mini-saga has The mini-saga has
eight or more errors one to seven errors no errors in
Punctuation ×2
in grammar and in grammar and grammar and
punctuation. punctuation. punctuation.

Writing The writer struggles The writer somewhat The writer follows
to follow the creative follows the creative the creative writing
Discipline writing process and writing process and process well and
x2
does not seem to has a satisfactory has an excellent
have a good grasp on grasp on the use of grasp on the use of
the use of diction. diction. diction.

Total Possible Score 30

Teacher’s Feedback
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

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Bibliography

LiteraryDevices Editors. “Diction.” LiteraryDevices.net. Accessed April 16, 2021.

https://literarydevices.net/diction/.

Literary Terms. “Diction.” Literary Terms. Accessed April 16, 2021.

https://literaryterms.net/diction/.

MasterClass. “What Is Diction? Learn 8 Different Types of Diction in Writing with Examples.”
MasterClass. November 8, 2020. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/
what-is-diction-learn-8-different-types-of-diction-in-writing-with-examples#8-differe
nt-types-of-diction-in-writing.

Menoy, Jesus Z. Creative Writing. Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila: Books Atbp. Publishing
Corp, 2016.

Nordquist, Richard. “Diction - Word Choice and Enunciation.” ThoughtCo. Last modified July
31, 2018. https://www.thoughtco.com/diction-words-term.

1.2. Formal and Informal Words in Creative Writing 19

 Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

1.2. Formal and Informal Words in Creative Writing

Let’s Begin
1. What you can see in the table below are word pairs. Create sentences for each of
them. The sentence that contains the first word in each word pair should be written
in number one; the other one should be written in number two. The first one has
been done for you.
2. After completing the task, please answer the succeeding questions.

Word Pair Sentences

dramatic - extra 1. Alex’s reaction to the news that he was no longer top of the
class was extremely dramatic.
2. Marian is so extra; have you seen her dress made entirely of
sequins?

man - dude 1. The man is wearing a brown jacket.

2. That dude’s outfit is amazing!

sure - betcha 1. I am sure that Maria knows everything about the incident.
2. Will I ask Tracy to prom? You betcha!

splendid - lit 1. The dinner was simply splendid!

2. That band’s performance was lit!

questionable - sus 1. Rod’s motives for helping us are highly questionable.

2. It’s kinda sus that she showed up just as we were about to call
for help.

1. What do you think is the difference between the first and the second word in each
word pair?
Answers may vary. The first word of each word pair is a formal word, while the

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 Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing
second word of each word pair is an informal word.
2. Are all of these words suitable for creating imaginative texts? Explain your answer.
Answers may vary. The student may answer yes or no, but he or she must explain
why he or she thinks the words can be used for imaginative texts or why she or he
does not.
3. Do you think that there are specific rules that we need to follow regarding word
choice in creating imaginative texts? Explain your answer.
Answers may vary. The student must discuss the idea that imaginative texts come
in different forms and genres, and each may have its own standard for word choice.

Check Your Progress

1. What is the difference between formal diction and informal diction?
Answers may vary. Formal diction is the use of sophisticated, professional, and
sublime language, while informal diction is the use of natural, realistic, and
conversational language in a text. The student may discuss these in his or her own
words as long as the definitions are the same.
2. What is the difference between pedantic diction and poetic diction?
Answers may vary. Pedantic diction is the use of highly complex or scholarly
language, while poetic diction is the use of descriptive and lyrical language to
create a mellifluous sound in a text. The student may discuss these in his or her
own words as long as the definitions are the same.
3. What is the difference between concrete diction and abstract diction?
Answers may vary. Concrete diction is the use of words in their literal or denotative
meaning, while abstract diction is the use of intangible words in a text to explain or
express an idea or emotion. The student may discuss these in his or her own words
as long as the definition is the same.

1.2. Formal and Informal Words in Creative Writing 21

 Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing
Try This!
A. True or False. Write true if the statement is true; otherwise, write false. Your answers
must be based on the nature of the sentences provided in the box.

1. It is a pleasure to meet you, young lady.

2. Hey man, you good?
3. Idk if Chris likes me or not, but every time he’s with me, he acts sus.
4. I ain’t seen Mitch doin’ that thing to you.
5. On that day, my soul grew silent; silent it may be, but it torments my dreams.
6. Based on our analysis, Sarah is infected with geohelminthiasis.
7. The black roses in the earthen jar are very captivating.
8. Life is meaningful; remember that.

true 1. The first sentence uses formal diction.

false 2. The third sentence uses pedantic diction.

true 3. The fifth sentence uses poetic diction.

false 4. The seventh sentence uses abstract diction.

true 5. The second sentence uses informal diction.

true 6. The fourth sentence uses colloquial diction.

false 7. The sixth sentence uses slang diction.

false 8. The eighth sentence uses concrete diction.

false 9. The fifth sentence uses pedantic diction.

true 10. The fourth sentence uses informal diction.

1.2. Formal and Informal Words in Creative Writing 22

 Unit 1: Introduction to Creative Writing

B. Identification. Identify the concept being described in each item. Write the correct
answer on the provided space before each number.

word choice 1. It is also known as diction.

appropriateness 2. It is the ability of words to achieve the purpose of the imaginative

text while considering the target audience.

accuracy 3. It is the careful use of words to express meaning.

concreteness 4. It is the ability of the words to stimulate the readers’ senses.

precision 5. It is the exactness of the words we use to express meaning.

1.2. Formal and Informal Words in Creative Writing 23