Essay Sample on Use of Tone and Diction

Introduction

Understanding the Significance of Tone and Diction in Effective Communication

Tone is the attitude of an author towards a particular subject expressed in the choice of words that the author uses. It expresses the feelings of the author towards the matter upon which he has written about. Diction on the other hand is the choice of words to express the feelings of the author. The choice of diction depends on the subject, audience and the purpose for which the information needs to be conveyed.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

The right choice of tone and diction will help the author communicate his message better and enable his audiences understand exactly what the intended message is. Effective communication means that the audience not only understands the feelings of the author but also understand the reason behind those feelings and the extent to which it is important to the subject matter. Duarte (6) explains the importance of using the right tool when making presentations since and audience will pay attention when their attention is drawn. She further explains that audiences will treat a piece of work just as a report when the right words, facts and figure are not used in a presentation.

Effective communication is achieved when the author combines right use of diction and tone. The tone represents the voice which the presenter uses while diction is how well the information is articulated. Cranell (4), explain that in the use of tone, a speaker needs to be keen on the highs and the lows of the voice to produce a quality voice during expression. This paper seeks to establish the effectiveness of diction and tone in reference to Jamaican Kin Caid's books My brother and Mr. Potter.

Mr. Potter is a narration how a girl, Elaine, grew up without her father and how this experience affected her. The book is written by a combination of stylistic devices that drives the reader into understanding how difficult it is to forgive. The psychological torture that the girl undergoes because of not having the father is well described. The girl acknowledges later in the book that Mr. Potter was actually her father. This realization changes the view that the girl had because Mr. Potter could not read, write or express himself because he was imprisoned by the thoughts of his passed. Mr. Potters inability to read and write made him not understand who he was. In My Brother, Jamaican Kin Caid is inspired by the death of his from brother Doven who has died from AIDS. The book is a reflection of the author who mixes the experiences of the past and present while looking after her sick brother. She intricately recalls their memories of Doven when they were young until she left for States. She also vividly describes their memories when she came back to Antigua to take care of his sick brother.

Exploring Tone and Diction in Jamaican Kin Caid's Books

Tone

In both cases, the writer expresses the feeling of regret. In My Brother, she says it would be nice if she died too and got buried right then so that the whole thing would be over then. Quindlen (1) also points out that the author also confesses the fact she never loved the brother, a fact, which she regrets. The feeling of regret is also expressed in the book Mr. Potter, Elaine has lived along knowing that she is fatherless. Later in the book after knowing her father, and releases that the father could neither read nor write and could not even understand himself. This knowledge leaves the girl with the feelings of regret on why she could not be the voice of her father in the least.

Diction

The choice of words in both books by the author makes the articulate and expresses the feelings intended. In expression of regret in My Brother, the author recalls when her brother were attacked by a battalion of red ants but was rescued. She notes that little did she know that his brother was being attacked and killed inside by other things. This feeling also clearly comes out when she says that had finally come to understand why people lie about their past, when they say things that they are not and wear a resemblance that is not exactly what they are. These choices of words truly express the feelings that the author had after the death of the brother. In Mr. Potter, the choices of words to describe the personality of Mr. Potter also show good use of diction. The author describes the poverty levels of the father and the manner in which his mother committed suicide which embodies the pressure within his own life.

The author has in both books used feedback to describe the events that took place. In Mr. Potter the girl recalls memories about the father whom she lived to have thought was not there. She has now realized he was actually alive. The author uses flashback to express the memories she had while thinking she had no father has actually passed on. Similarly, in My Brother, the author has used feedback to describe the feelings the author had for the brother while they were young. She has also explained why she went away from home and uses this context to describe the sadness and regret in the author. She feels she should not have gone away from the brother. The use of flashback in these two books has given the author the best possible way to describe events and express her feelings. Use of flashback is an effective way of expressing diction.

Works Cited

Crannell, Kenneth C. Voice and Articulation. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2012. Print.

Duarte, Nancy. Slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations. , 2008. Print.

Quindlen A (October 1997). The Past Is Another Country. *The New York Times* retrieved on 2nd April 2018 from https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/97/10/19/reviews/971019.19quindlt.html

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Essay:

How does the choice of tone and diction enhance effective communication?

Tone and diction in writing or presentations play a pivotal role in communicating messages effectively. By selecting appropriate words and conveying their feelings more directly through tone, authors are better able to express their intentions more eloquently, helping audiences not only understand emotions behind messages but also grasp importance and rationale behind subjects discussed. Effective communication requires engaging an audience's attention with ease; using appropriate facts, figures and language ensures this occurs by keeping audiences attentive while comprehending information being conveyed effectively - as advocated for by Duarte.

What emotions are expressed through tone and diction in Jamaican Kin Caid's books "My Brother" and "Mr. Potter"?

Both books by their respective authors successfully convey an overwhelming sense of regret through tone and diction. For example, in "My Brother", the author regrets her inability to love her brother more, while Elaine experiences this emotion upon realizing her father is unable to read, write or understand himself and is thus powerless as his voice; using tone and carefully chosen words the authors successfully portray this sense of regret in both narratives.

How does the use of flashback contribute to the expression of emotions and the effectiveness of diction in the books?

Authors often employ flashback as a literary device to effectively express emotions and enhance the impact of their diction. In "Mr. Potter," for instance, the protagonist recalls memories of her absent father whom she later discovers was still living. Flashback allows for the exploration of complex emotions experienced by our protagonist, emphasizing both her shock and regret upon discovering the truth. "My Brother," similarly employs flashback to depict her memories of her brother from their youth years and illustrate her feelings of loss and regret after having left him. This technique provides a powerful method for conveying their emotions while effectively using language to emphasize regrets.