The Meanings of Words DENOTATION AND CONNOTATION

What do you notice about these paired statements??? 1) THE MEDIA WERE SWARMING AROUND THE PILEUP ON MOPAC TO CAPTURE EVERY CONCEIVABLE INJURY FOR THE EVENING NEWS. THE JOURNALISTS WERE ON THE SCENE AT THE MOPAC ACCIDENT TO DOCUMENT THE INCIDENT FOR THE EVENING NEWS ) PHOTOGRAPHERS STOOD PATIENTLY ALONG THE WALKWAY, AWAITING THE ARRIVAL OF THE OSCAR NOMINEES. THE PAPARAZZI LINED THE WALKWAY ANXIOUSLY POISED TO SNAP THE OSCAR NOMINEES.

Denotation  The strict dictionary meaning of a word  The literal meaning of the word

Connotation  The emotional and imaginative association surrounding a word  The figurative or suggestive meaning

The Two Purposes of Words (1) To label things or convey information. Example: I live in a house.

(2) To express a feeling or point of view Example: You may live in a house, but we live in a home. The Two Purposes of Words

More about POV  Positive: We bought inexpensive souvenirs at the amusement park.  Negative: We bought cheap souvenirs at the amusement park.  Neutral/Objective: We bough souvenirs at the amusement park.

You decide…  Which word has a positive connotation?  Which word has a negative connotation? Everyone had a (smile, smirk) on his/her face on the ride home.

You decide… I ate a (soggy, moist) sandwich.  Which word has a positive connotation?  Which word has a negative connotation?

average OR mediocre childish OR childlike spit OR saliva antique OR old-fashioned Would you rather be…

Context Clues Words or phrases in the text that help the reader understand both the denotative and connotative meanings of words.

Using Context Clues The parrot was able to mimic human voices.  What is the denotative meaning of the word mimic ?  What is the connotative meaning of the word mimic ?

1. The (odor, fragrance) of apple blossoms filled the entire valley.  Which word has a positive connotation? 2. A (swarm, bunch) of bees filled the air near the hive.  Which word is more denotatively accurate? 3. Tammy (delayed, hesitated) for a moment, then went on speaking.  Which word is more denotatively accurate? 4. Joaquin is always very (nitpicky, meticulous) about his appearance.  Which word has a negative connotation? Using Context Clues

Let’s Play... WORD JEOPARDY

Word Jeopardy Positive Viewpoint Negative Viewpoint Context Clues

Positive Viewpoint  immature  youthful  Back to Game Back to Game

Positive Viewpoint  limit  restrict  Back to Game Back to Game

Positive Viewpoint  filthy  dirty  Back to Game Back to Game

Negative Viewpoint  stingy  thrifty  Back to Game Back to Game

Negative Viewpoint  cluttered  messy  Back to Game Back to Game

Negative Viewpoint  unusual  weird  Back to Game Back to Game

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

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

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