Definitions:
Concrete Diction- "the use of words or phrases that listeners can easily understand because they are common knowledge, and they can create images in their heads once they hear them."
Abstract Diction- "the use of words to describe feelings, thoughts, emotions, ideas, and concepts. Unlike concrete diction, abstract diction describes things that are intangible and without physical presence."
"What Is Diction?" ["What Is Diction?"]. 7ESL, 2022, 7esl.com/diction/. Accessed 29 Aug. 2022.
Informal Definitions:
Concrete diction- a very literal sequence of words specifically chosen by the author. The words are not up for interpretation because they have very literal meanings and applications
Example: “I ate an apple.”
Abstract diction- a sequence of words specifically chosen by the author that has more than one interpretation. These words appeal to emotions and feelings rather than having literal applications.
Example: “Every human wants happiness.”
Etymology:
from Latin dictio(n-), from dicere “to say”-Originated in 1540s, "a word," a sense now obsolete, from Late Latin dictionem (nominative dictio) "a saying, expression; a word; kind of delivery, style,"
"Diction." Oxford Learners Dictionaries, Oxford Dictionaries, 2022, www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/diction#:~:text=(denoting%20a%20word%20or%20phrase,from%20dicere%20'to%20say'. Accessed 7 Sept. 2022.
"What Is Diction?" ["What Is Diction?"]. 7ESL, 2022, 7esl.com/diction/. Accessed 29 Aug. 2022.
Analysis for Analysis for Concrete vs. Abstract Diction