March 7 – All About Words Agenda: Vocabulary Test “Using Language Well” Reading/Annotation Write Now (3rd page) Diction: Denotation and Connotation Goal: Explore the use of connotative language in writing Take out: For the test A Pen/Pencil After the test The Great Gatsby Your Notebook Homework: Complete and bring in your “Write Now” answers

Vocabulary Test & “Using Language Well” Take the Vocabulary test for chapter 1 & 2 of The Great Gatsby Raise your hand when you are finished, and I’ll give you a copy of “Using Language Well” Read and annotate “Using Language Well” Annotations should include new information, words you don’t know, and connections that you can make After reading, complete all parts of the “Write Now” assignment on the third page

Using Language Well How does Fitzgerald use descriptive language in a particular way? Did anything in this article stand out as interesting?

Diction Diction = Word Choice Authors like Fitzgerald use specific and carefully-chosen diction in their writing Brainstorm Quick-Write: What difference does diction make in the meaning of a sentence? Come up with an example to show how diction can make a difference

Diction – Brainstorm Create a brainstorm web around the following word, writing down anything that it makes you think about: MANSION

Diction Denotation = The direct meaning of a word Connotation = The suggested meaning of a word What is the DENOTATION and the CONNOTATION of the word “mansion” The denotation: The connotation: Why would a writer choose to use the word “mansion”?

Diction Which would you rather be called? Why? Trusting or Gullible? Cautious or Cowardly? Hypocritical or Tactful? Enthusiastic or Fanatical? Each row contains words with similar denotations, but different connotations. When analyzing the significance of diction, carefully consider how and why words are selected. It is helpful to be aware of the denotative meanings of words but to be especially conscious of their connotative significance.

Turn to page 43 Read the first paragraph, which is five sentences long. Identify any words that you don’t know. In your notebook, write a SIMPLE five sentence paragraph that has the same DENOTATIVE meaning as this paragraph. It should be simple and short Share your paragraph with your neighbor

Now identify and write in your notebook the connotative words in Fitzgerald's paragraph For each word, explain their CONNOTATIVE meaning Compare your paragraph vs. Fitzgerald’s – How does the meaning change? Continue reading chapter 3, looking for connotative details as you go

Considering Diction – Write Now Rewrite the sentences, replacing the underlined word with stronger word choice. Make sure to consider the connotation of the words you choose: Terrified, Melvin walked toward the towering giant. The center fielder ran toward the fence and caught the ball. The starving camper ate his first meal in weeks. Ecstatic, Wendy went to the stage to receive her award. The worm moved inside of the apple. Make up sentences to show how each word in the following pairs should be used: Take/Seize Leap/Pounce Move/Totter Eat/Gorge Leave/Escape Kill/Execute Write/Scribble Think/Cogitate Trot/Sprint Walk/Shuffle Write a paragraph describing a social event that attended during the past year – using the description of Gatsby’s party as a model.