Denotation and Connotation

What is DENOTATION? What is CONNOTATION? Denotation: the strict, "dictionary" definition of a word. Connotation: the emotions attached to a word. The emotion can be either positive or negative.

Positive connotation When the word gives you a good feeling or has a good feeling/thought attached to it. Ex: animals with positive connotation: A dove is gentle. A hen is motherly. An owl is wise.

Negative connotation When the word gives you a bad feeling or has a negative feeling/thought attached to it. Ex: animals with a negative connotation: A snake is something to be feared for its deception. A fox is sneaky or sly. A shark is ruthless.

How word choice affects connotation Those who are lonely and detached live in a house. Those who live with loved ones and in happiness live in a home. Many wise men have made plans. Many cunning scoundrels have devised a scheme. Pushy salespeople are to be avoided. Aggressive salespeople make a lot of money. I'm sick and tired of listening to politicians, but give me a good statesman any day of the week and we’ll get things done.

Activity: negative and positive connotation You have been given two words, one with more of a negative connotation and one with more of a positive connotation Place the positive word on the positive side of your chart and the negative word on the negative side of your chart List some positive words that you associate with the positive label under it. List some negative words that you associate with the negative label under it.

Example: Positive: chef Negative: cook skilled untrained trained low pay perfectionist hot and sweaty quality plain delicious bland high class cheap elegant lack of pride