Developing Poetic Diction

Diction is word choice. Your diction defines your voice. Some poets use simple, everyday language (Billy Collins). Others use ornate, archaic language. Others use technical jargon. Your diction sets tone.

Decide: colloquial or formal speech? Abstract or concrete? Monosyllabic or polysyllabic? Modern or classical? Each choice shapes reader experience. Colloquial feels intimate. Technical creates distance. Short, harsh words feel aggressive. Long, soft words feel gentle.

Don't use fancy words just to sound smart. Use them because they're precise and necessary. Sometimes "thing" is better than "amorphous entity." Read aloud. Does your diction match your meaning?