We all (well presumably, MOST OF US) know what words are, how they work and why they work. So when it comes to the art form of emceeing, when you are being "lyrical", someone might say
"Yo, you have a way with words, man!"

But what exactly does it mean, to "have a way with words"? And furthermore, WHAT are they referring too?

Well as it turns out, if you're a lyricist and are just now trying to understand what lyricism is, you MUST have some basic grasp of something called "Wordplay". Which in regard to literary devices, is arguably the most well known, yet simultaneously, misunderstood facet of the practice.

Let's begin with know the basis of wordplay, before defining what entails all the intricacies and difficulties, that make it so vague.

To be a "Wordsmith", you have to master, something known as
"Diction" (which is the CHOICE and USAGE of words based on their definition and function, as a part of grammar) and "Syntax" (the forming of sentence structure). When used effectively in Rap, you get something known as "wordplay". This involves associating a common word(s), either to themselves or others in an UNCOMMON way, to link the words together, for a new understanding. By switching the usual, well known order of how words are typically perceived together as a grouping, you then find ENDLESS WAYS to develop a better grasp of the nature of words, in general.