Please answer the following questions from the “Choosing Words” reading in BHH.
1. What is the difference between formal and informal diction?
2. Give an example of the following types of diction: colloquial, slang, regionalism (if you can), and nonstandard.
3. What is the difference between the denotative and the connotative meanings of a word? Select two words and provide both types of meanings.
4. Define euphemism, and give three examples of euphemistic expressions.
5. Revise the following passage, which is written in rather general and abstract terms. Make it more specific and concrete.
Last weekend, I went for a long drive. The scenery was pretty, and I enjoyed the trip. However, the car gave us some problems, especially when we hit a lot of traffic.
6. Define “cliché,” and provide two examples.
7. What is a simile? What is a metaphor? Use an example of each to describe one particular thing (e.g., a car, person, animal, etc.).