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Concrete diction

Diction
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The use of precise, sensory-rich vocabulary that evokes tangible experiences—sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell—rather than abstractions.

Detailed Definition
Concrete diction uses specific, tangible, and sensory-rich language—naming actual objects, actions, or sensations—rather than abstractions, enabling readers to visualize or experience the poem’s content directly; it is foundational to imagist and objectivist poetics for its precision and immediacy.
Example
Example in poetry:
Concrete diction: Williams’ “red wheelbarrow / glazed with rain water”; Bishop’s “fish” described in tactile detail; Original: “Rusted hinge, splintered step, cold tea”
Additional Notes
Language referring to specific, tangible, sensory objects. Contrast: abstract diction. Creates vivid imagery. Related to: imagism, sensory detail. Foundation of "show, don't tell."
Also Known As
Physical language tangible vocabulary material diction specific words
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