What does the term "diction" refer to in literature?

Diction in literature specifically refers to the author’s choice of words and how those choices contribute to the overall tone, style, and meaning of a piece. Different word choices can convey distinct emotions, bring to life characters, and set the mood. For instance, an author might use formal diction to create a sense of seriousness or informal diction to reflect realism and familiarity. This selection of vocabulary is crucial because it shapes the reader's understanding and interpretation of the text. Other aspects like sentence length, themes, or character development are important literary elements, but they do not define diction.