Which of the following questions should you ask in order to understand an author's diction?
1) are sentences written using correct and commonly accepted grammar and spelling?
2) do the words have positive, neutral, or negative feelings and ideas associated with them?
3) how does the author support his or her position in each paragraph of the argument?
4) why does the author include these specific statistics, facts, graphs, and images?

It is true that prior to 1914 the united states often had been disturbed by events in other continents. we had even engaged in two wars with european nations and in a number of undeclared wars in the west indies, in the mediterranean and in the pacific for the maintenance of american rights and for the principles of peaceful commerce. but in no case had a serious threat been raised against our national safety or our continued independence. what is the theme of this excerpt? a. the responsibility for americans to avoid involvement in war.b. america’s history of international involvement.c. a new kind of threat to american security.d. america’s history as a peaceful nation.

[he] let his gaze wander to the swirling water of the stream racing madly beneath his feet. a piece of dancing driftwood caught his attention and his eyes followed it down the current. how slowly it appeared to move! what a sluggish stream! what contrasting words are used to describe the stream in this passage?

This excerpt is from “the poet” by alfred, lord tennyson. the poem describes a poet's consciousness and perception. which three lines suggest the richness of a poet's thoughts? thus truth was multiplied on truth, [the world like one great garden show'd,] and thro' the wreaths of floating dark upcurl'd, rare sunrise flow'd. [and freedom rear'd in that august sunrise] her beautiful bold brow, when rites and forms before his burning eyes melted like snow. [there was no blood upon her maiden robes] sunn'd by those orient skies; but round about the circles of the globes of her keen eyes and in her raiment's hem was traced in flame wisdom, a name to shake [all evil dreams of power--a sacred name.] and when she spake, [her words did gather thunder as they ran,] and as the lightning to the thunder which follows it, riving the spirit of man, making earth wonder, so was their meaning to her words. no sword of wrath her right arm whirl'd, [ but one poor poet's scroll, and with 'his' word] she shook the world.