Which term describes the specific word choices used by an author?

Which term describes the specific word choices used by an author?

• A. Diction
• B. Lexicon
• C. Word Choice
• D. Lexical Style

Answer: (C)

Word choice is the term that names the specific words an author selects to convey meaning, tone, and imagery. It directly identifies the act of choosing particular words to shape how the reader experiences the text. Diction describes the overall language style, including formality and tone, which is broader than the exact word selections. Lexicon refers to the speaker’s or text’s vocabulary as a set of words, not the act of choosing them. Lexical style isn’t a standard label for this concept, so it isn’t the best fit. So, the phrase that best captures the idea of the precise words the author uses is word choice.

Word choice is the term that names the specific words an author selects to convey meaning, tone, and imagery. It directly identifies the act of choosing particular words to shape how the reader experiences the text. Diction describes the overall language style, including formality and tone, which is broader than the exact word selections. Lexicon refers to the speaker’s or text’s vocabulary as a set of words, not the act of choosing them. Lexical style isn’t a standard label for this concept, so it isn’t the best fit. So, the phrase that best captures the idea of the precise words the author uses is word choice.