Connotations and Tone Ms. Jordan

Denotation vs. Connotation Denotation is the dictionary or literal meaning of a word. Connotative words create suggestions and evoke emotions in the reader’s mind. Ms. Jordan

Denotation = Dictionary Definition If you want to know what a word means – look it up in the dictionary…. book version or online version. That’s simple! Ms. Jordan

Word Choice Creates and Connotative Effect Notice the difference… I love him to the depths of my soul. I’m really crazy about him. Which one evokes more emotion? Ms. Jordan

Words Chosen by an Author Can Trick the Reader Into Feeling Authors choose specific words for a purpose. Also, the author knows the reader is often unaware of this, which makes it even more effective. Ms. Jordan

Emotional Impact Author’s words create connotations Connotations creates tone Connotations and tone create emotion Ms. Jordan

Author’s Tone Tone is the author’s attitude toward a subject. An author’s tone is implied. The reader must infer. The reader must “read between the lines” to infer author’s tone. Ms. Jordan

Examples of Author’s Tone Through words the author may show the reader that she is… … depressed, cynical, angry, outraged, sympathetic, positive, sentimental, ironic, vengeful, intense, religious, etc. Ms. Jordan

More Examples of Tone Solemn Serious Objective Personal Disapproving Violent Hostile Affectionate Ms. Jordan

Often an author’s tone influences the mood and atmosphere of the plot. An author’s tone Mood or atmosphere Ms. Jordan

Example of Tone-Mood Connection An author writes a horror novel using a serious and sinister tone. The tone helps to create a scary atmosphere and a frightened and nervous mood for the reader. Ms. Jordan

Example Two of Tone-Mood Connection An author writes a satire using a playful and sarcastic tone. The tone helps to create a humorous mood for the reader. Ms. Jordan

Connotation, denotation, emotion, and tone all have an influence on the characterization. What kind of person would say certain things?. How would certain people react differently to certain words or phrases? Word Choice and Characterization Ms. Jordan

Impact on our Reading Question an author’s choice of words! Authors choose specific words for a reason. How do words affect the tone, plot, mood, characters and you as a reader? Ms. Jordan

The Next Time You Read a Passage … try to analyze the word choice so you can infer the author’s tone. It will help you to “get the message” of the text. Ms. Jordan