Aspects of literary style: choice of words

Identification of Word Choice in Literature

Understand the importance of an author’s choice of words or diction in shaping the narrative.
Become familiar with common Latin words and their meanings to better comprehend the text and the author’s intent.
Learn to identify synonyms and antonyms in context, observing how they can dramatically alter the tone and meaning of a passage.
Recognise Latin phrases that have entered into the English language and their implications on the meaning of the text.
Develop the ability to analyse abstract and concrete words in a narration to identify underlying themes or messages.

Understand how different words can carry varying connotations (implied meanings) and denotations (literal meanings).
Develop a skill to explain how an author’s word choices can create mood, establish setting, develop characterisation and advance the plot.
Identify how specific word choice can serve to illustrate or emphasise certain aspects of a narrative, particularly in relation to sensory descriptions.
Recognise variations in word order and the impact this can have on highlighting or downplaying certain aspects of the narrative.

Reflect on how an author’s choice of words can impact your personal interpretation and understanding of the narrative.
Consider how the use of certain words has the power to influence a reader’s emotions – such as creating fear, suspense, joy, or sadness.
Understand how words can subtly shape a reader’s perception or understanding of characters, settings or events in the narrative.
Examine how your own cultural or historical understanding might affect your interpretation of an author’s word choice.

Apply your understanding of word choice when interpreting Latin texts and examine the potential implications and nuances behind the author’s selection of words.
Express your analysis of the text by discussing the author’s word choice in your written work.
Let your understanding of the author’s word choice inform your perspective when developing a personal response to the narrative.
Use your insight into a writer’s choice of words to support your analyses with evidence from the text.