Diction

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Diction, in its original, primary meaning, refers to the writer's or the speaker's distinctive vocabulary choices and style of expression. A secondary, common meaning of "diction" is better, and more precisely, expressed with the word enunciation ... the art of speaking clearly so that each word is clearly heard. This secondary sense concerns pronunciation and tone, rather than word choice and style.

Diction has multiple concerns; register ... words being either formal or informal in social context .. is foremost. Literary diction analysis reveals how a passage establishes tone and characterization, for example, a preponderance of verbs relating physical movement suggests an active character, while a preponderance of verbs relating states of mind portrays an introspective character. Diction also has an impact upon word choice and syntax.

Etymology

1542, from Late Latin dictionem, from Latin "a saying, expression, word," from dic-, stem of dicere "speak, tell, say," related to dicare "proclaim, dedicate," from Proto-Indo-European base deik- "to point out." The word dictionary is derived from this definition of the word.