Connotation vs. Denotation

2. Connotation vs. Denotation • Objective: I will explain the difference between connotation and denotation. I will pay attention to authors’ word choice and determine the connotation of words in text.

3. Connotation vs. Denotation • Denotation – the literal dictionary definition of a word • Connotation – The secondary meaning associated feelings or images a word evokes in the reader

4. Examples • House – implies a building • Home – implies a place of warmth and family

5. Example • Chair – implies a place to sit. • Recliner – implies a cozy/comfortable place to sit

6. Childish vs. Childlike • Connotation? • Denotation? (Look up in dictionary) • Positive – Negative – Neutral? • Connotation? • Denotation? (Look up in dictionary) • Positive – Negative – Neutral?

7. Does connotation matter? Connotation is the emotional connection we add to our words! • Imagine you are going on a first date with someone, and they ask you in to meet their mom. Would it make a difference to you if they asked you to come in to meet their mommy instead? What about if they wanted you to meet mama? How about meeting their mother? Or, to top it off, what if they asked if you would like to meet their female progenitor?

8. Who cares about connotation? • Authors often select their words carefully so that they can convey a certain mood/tone with their writing.

9. Denotation is the literal meaning of a word Connotation is adding attitude to a word

10. Here is a sample of a word that has denotative meaning and connotative associations:“She’s my baby.” Denotation infant Connotation girl friend

11. The wordtightcan have two meanings. The dress she was wearing was reallytight. Denotation fixed firmly in place Connotation good, fantastic, awesome

12. Example Denotation= a dove / bird Connotation = peace

13. Denotation = hearts Connotation = Love/romance

14. Look carefully at this book cover What is the denotative meaning of the cover image? What is the connotative meaning? Hint: think about the colours, figures and perspective of the image.

15. Now think about the title: • What are its denotative and connotative meanings? • Look at the font used for the title and authors’ names. Does this suggest anything about the book? • What do you think the story is about? • What genre do you think the story is from?

16. Using your ideas about the title and cover image, try to write the blurb for the back cover of the book. • Tip: think about genre, setting, characters (make up names if needed) and possible plot

17. Now compare your version with the one from the novel. How similar are they? Blurb Fourteen-year-old Will Burrows lives with his family in London. He has little in common with them except for a passion for digging which he shares with his father. When his father suddenly disappears down an unknown tunnel, Will decides to investigate with his friend Chester. Soon they find themselves deep underground, where they unearth a dark and terrifying secret - a secret which may cost them their lives.

18. How does your blurb compare with this one? • What are the similarities and differences? • Which do you prefer? Why?

19. Let’s Play... Word Jeopardy

20. Word Jeopardy Positive Viewpoint Negative Viewpoint Context Clues 100 100 100 200 200 200 300 300 300

21. Positive Viewpoint • immature • youthful • Back to Game

22. Positive Viewpoint • limit • restrict • Back to Game

23. Positive Viewpoint • filthy • dirty • Back to Game

24. Negative Viewpoint • stingy • thrifty • Back to Game

25. Negative Viewpoint • cluttered • messy • Back to Game

26. Negative Viewpoint • unusual • weird • Back to Game

27. Context Clues After the big test, Rich felt relaxed and ( carefree, irresponsible ). • Back to Game

28. Context Clues The empty streets looked lonely and ( deserted, barren ). • Back to Game

29. Context Clues The employees tried to ( haggle, bargain ) with their employer over pay raises. • Back to Game

30. Well Done!