Denotation and Connotation Word Choice

Read the words and definition in each row Read the words and definition in each row. Which word in each row do you think is more positive? Word #1 Definition of Both Words Word #2 Slender Sized thinner than average Scrawny Odor A smell or scent Fragrance Acquaintance A person known by another Friend Leisurely Unhurried, Slower pace Lazily Youthful A young age Immature

“Pause” by Nikki Grimes The sky is slate and the world is a cold and slushy place till Kiara stops by Video Haven, sunshine in jeans and knee-high boots. … “Catch you later,” I tell her, and she blows me a kiss warm enough to melt every patch of ice On the planet. Gotta watch out for the sun. Slate- a bluish gray color positive/negative Sunshine- direct light from positive/negative the sun unbroken by clouds Melt- become liquified by heat; positive/negative To become more tender or loving What impact does the author’s word choice have on the tone of the poem? What impact does the author’s word choice have on the mood of the poem? How does the author’s word choice impact the development of Kiara in the poem? How does the author’s word choice impact the setting? Tone- Author’s word choice impacts the tone by showing how the narrator's feelings change from dreary to a warm. Mood- Author’s word choice impacts the mood by contrasting the atmosphere the narrator describes after the visit from the girl. Development of character- author's word choice impacts the development of the character by showing how the narrator perceives in an admiring way Setting- the author’s word choice impacts the setting by describing it in an gloomy way

Exit Ticket: Monday Label the following words as positive, negative, or neutral: Mansion Shack Dump Home House

“Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou Out of the huts of history’s shame I rise Up from a past that’s rooted in pain I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave I rise. “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou Shame- feeling of humiliation positive/negative caused by the consciousness of wrong behavior Terror- extreme fear positive/negative Hope- the feeling that what positive/negative is wanted can be had or that Events will turn out for the best What impact does the author’s word choice have on the tone of the poem? What impact does the author’s word choice have on the mood of the poem? Tone- the author’s word choice provides a contrast to feelings of the narrator. Mood- the author’s word choice develops a liberating or inspiring mood by showing the confidence of the narrator.

“Uncle Henry lives in a house deep in the woods.” Exit Ticket: Tuesday “Uncle Henry lives in a house deep in the woods.” The word “house” has a neutral connotation. Replace the word with a synonym that has a negative connotation. Explain how the word you chose impacts the tone of the sentence.

“Sympathy” by Paul Lawrence Dunbar I know why the caged bird sings, ah me, When his wing is bruised and his chest sore,- When he beats his bars and he would be free; It is not a carol of joy or glee, But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core, But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings,- I know why the caged bird sings! Bruised- injured as a result positive/negative of striking or pressing Free- not under the control positive/negative of something or someone Flings- to throw or hurl positive/negative purposefully What impact does the author’s word choice have on the tone of the poem? What impact does the author’s word choice have on the mood of the poem? Tone- The author’s word choice describes the desperation felt by the bird to want to free of his cage. Mood- The author’s word choice develops a sorrowful mood by detailing the experience of the bird.

Exit Ticket: Wednesday “He’s such a dog!” Is the connotation of the underlined word positive or negative? What is the meaning of the word as it is being used in the sentence?

“I recognized the familiar smell of my roommate’s cooking.” Exit Ticket: Thursday “I recognized the familiar smell of my roommate’s cooking.” The word “smell” has a neutral connotation. Replace the word with a synonym that has a positive connotation. Explain how the word you chose impacts the tone of the sentence.

Exit Ticket: Friday “I bought a cheap shirt at the store last week.” The word “cheap” has a negative connotation. Replace the word with a synonym that has a positive connotation. Explain how your word choice impacted the tone of the sentence.