Diction

Diction is essentially the choice of words by an author to convey a specific meaning. Words can have many different meanings and associations beyond their literal definition so precise combinations of words and phrases can add hidden and alter meanings to a poem. Authors work very hard when writing, especially poetry, to find the perfect words to create the base on which they can lay their message on top of. In the poem Daddy by Sylvia Plath she uses the phrases "black man" , "a man in black" , "black telephone" and "fat black heart." The repetition of the word "black" reveals her sadness that is haunted by darkness and her use of such grim and bleak words add to the darkness.