1. Connotative/Denotative Language

2. Bellringer!
Write two to three (2-3) words and/or phrases that describe the feelings that come to mind when you think of the following words:
Mother
Home
Teacher
Police officer

3. Word Choice! Directions:
Beneath the bellringer, number your paper In the pairs of sentences, put a + sign for the sentence that has a more positive connotation, and a – sign for the sentence that has a more negative connotation
Example: + -

4. Word Choice
Randy’s clever nature made it easy for him to roach food off his friends’ plates.
Randy’s sly nature made it easy for him to roach food off his friends’ plates.
The cackling girls are getting on my nerves!
The giggling girls are getting on my nerves!

5. Word Choice
5. The cop issued me a ticket for catapulting a red slushy at my friend during lunch. 6. The officer issued me a ticket for tossing a red slushy at my friend during lunch.

6. The dictionary definition of a word
Denotative Language
The dictionary definition of a word
What is the denotative meaning of the word mother?

7. Mother—a female parent
Denotative Meaning
Mother—a female parent

8. Connotative Language
Language that has implied meaning that emphasizes the feelings and emotions surrounding words
What is the connotative meaning(s) of the word mother?

9. Does a real estate agent sell you a house, or does he/she sell you a home? How are the words different?

10. On your own… Villain Pity Arrogant
Think quick! Write down the first word or phrase that comes to mind when you hear the following words:
Villain
Pity
Arrogant

11. Denotative versus Connotative
Now, check your responses (your connotations) with the denotative meaning of each term:
Villain: a cruelly malicious person who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime.
Pity: sympathetic or kindly sorrow evoked by the suffering.
Arrogant: a sense of superiority, self-importance, or entitlement
Were your connotations similar or dissimilar to the denotative meaning of each word? Explain.