TRUE or FALSE: In literature... The level of diction conveys information about characters and about the narrator’s attitude toward them.

Which one did you choose and why?

Levels of Diction --

MIDDLE DICTION: Arnold is a strange person; he lives in a very rundown apartment. To look at it one would think he was too poor to buy a broken toilet. He certainly does some odd things. His wife told me he had not been to sleep since Saturday. I doubt he is working; he never works. He must be just loafing.

CASUAL DICTION: That weirdo Arnold lives in a real dump. You'd think he didn't have enough bills to buy a busted flush from the way his pad looks. That guy's a real turkey, y'know? His old lady was telling me he hadn't hit the sack since Saturday. Can't be that he's workin'; that bozo never works. He must be just skatin' on through.

ELEVATED DICTION: That Arnold is a singular fellow, actually. His domicile is a positively deplorable abode rather akin to a sty. Its appearance gives rise to the speculation that Arnold possesses insufficient monies to purchase even a non-functional disposal apparatus. He performs a number of indisputably unusual activities. His helpmate informed me that Arnold had not sought the sweet respite of slumber for half a fortnight. Assuredly he cannot be indulging in laborious pursuit; he has never stooped to such common practice. He must simply be luxuriating in idleness.

Levels of Diction - Writing Center - Purdue North Central