Word choice is the strongest weapon an author has. Having strong vocabulary can make your piece have much more depth as well as shorten it up. Abraham Lincoln is a fine example of a master of diction, his speeches were short but made such a deep impact because each word was chosen deliberately. Having established this I should move onto the different forms of diction that exist.
Abstract and Concrete diction-
Abstract diction are words that every person knows and can some what describe but can’t give one true example or root of what it is. This includes words like feelings, love, rights, freedom, seclusion, attitudes etc. A good example is love, when you think of it different images pop into your mind, and that’s just it their all different, there is never one true answer.
Concrete diction does the opposite, when you imagine it a single clear concept comes to mind. This includes words like dog, chair, lamp, tree, pool, door, etc. Although there can be slight variations in its appearances, fundamentally the reader knows exactly what you are saying
*concrete diction is often more appealing to readers because it gives then something sturdy to hold onto and creates a very clear mental picture.
General and Specific diction-
General diction is often concrete diction that falls flat when creating a mental picture because it gives the audience too much freedom. For example you may say “The little girl kicked the ball.” At first it seems specific but in truth there is a lot missing, who was the girl, how did she kick it, what kind or ball was it, where was she kicking it to? It is too flimsy and unattractive to the reader.
Specific diction provides the reader with a sharp mental image of exactly what they wish to portray that leaves a lasting impact.
*Strong and specific diction are signs of good writing.
Finally, using the right word makes all the difference in writing. Adding adjectives is a way to modify a word to try to make it fit where it doesn’t, weighing the image down. Use specific nouns the are the right fit. For example instead of saying ” the woman ran quickly away from the scene.” say “The woman fled the scene” It shortens the sentence while giving it more power.