CAHSEE ELA Prep Lesson 3 Figurative Language Denotation and Connotation

Warm Up: Write a list of ten words about this image. Be ready to share two or three with the class. After five minutes, teacher should solicit student responses and write words on white board or butcher paper. Put words in two groups: #1 Denotation (words that describe what is literally in the image) and #2 Connotation (words that describe what the image alludes to or suggests but that are not literally in the image. Ask students what they notice about the kinds of words in each group.

Words work like images They both communicate information which we call Like words, the image you wrote about has two types of meaning: “meaning” Group #1 Denotative meaning And Group #2 Connotative meaning

Denotation The denotative meaning of a word is its literal meaning – it’s what the word directly represents or means. The words in group #1 denote the objects in the image. They tell what is literally or actually in the image. Teacher should discuss student examples from group #1 and explain that these are literally in the image. The point is to make clear the direct relationship between image or word and denotative meaning.

Connotation The connotative meaning of a word is the feelings or ideas it evokes – it’s what a word indirectly makes you think or feel. The words in group #2 connote feelings or ideas that you can’t see. They tell what is implied by, but not literally in the image. Teacher should discuss student examples from group #2 and explain that these are not literally in the image. The point is to make clear the indirect relationship between image or word and connotative meaning.

You Use Denotation and Connotation All The Time Without Realizing it Example: If you say, “Don’t trip” to someone who is getting upset you are using connotation. Explanation: “Trip” directly denotes falling down or stumbling. “Trip” also indirectly connotes losing control of yourself because when you fall down you are out of control. So finally, “trip” connotes losing control of your emotions.

Here’s what this might look like in a diagram Trip FallStumble Lose control of your body Lose control of your emotions

So, connotation helps us arrive at other, indirect meanings of images, words, and phrases Consider the phrase “…a world of hurt.” As in, “If you don’t study, you’re going to be in a world of hurt.” Teacher should facilitate students’ sharing back as a class in order to reveal the chain of meaning from denotative to connotative (planet of pain to very bad place or situation and suffering). Take two minutes, turn to your neighbor and explain what you think this means. Try to explain how you get to that meaning (denotation -> connotation -> connotation). Be ready to share with the rest of the class.

When we use words in this indirect way, it is called figurative language One last thing: Figurative language may have positive or negative connotation (indirect meaning). Teacher should solicit responses from students and write them on white board under the heading “Fancy - positive connotations” Connotations that make something sound good are positive. For example: The word “fancy” has positive connotations like fine, luxurious… Can you think of any others?

On the other hand, Teacher should solicit responses from students and write them on white board under the heading “Expensive - negative connotations.” connotations that make something sound bad are negative. For example: The word “expensive” has negative connotations like over-priced or not affordable. Can you think of any other negative connotations?

Consider the sentences below 1) “My sister wants to buy a fancy car.” 2) “My sister wants to buy an expensive car.” Teacher should facilitate partner and class discussion. Be sure to point out the distinct connotations of these denotatively similar words. Discuss with your neighbor what each sentence connotes, and why. Be ready to share with the class. So you see how two words can have very different connotations, even when they denote similar things.

Let’s try a sample CAHSEE question Open your CAHSEE prep binders to page 202. Take three minutes to silently read the passage from “A Surprise.” Read the question that follows and be prepared to share your answer and rational (reasons for choosing) with the rest of the class.

What was your answer to the question, “what does the phrase buried under a mountain of work mean?” Raise your hand if you chose answer: Teacher should go through each answer as they are revealed and voted on, suggesting key rational for eliminating answers a-c (context clues, denotative vs. connotative interpretation, etc). A.Avoiding his studying B. Beneath a pile of books that fell on him C. Skipping classes in order to study D. Overwhelmingly busy

Quick Review What is denotative meaning? -Literal or direct meaning What is connotative meaning? -Indirect meaning What is figurative language? -Using language to communicate meaning indirectly, as with connotation What is positive connotation? -Connotations that make something sound good What is negative connotation? - Connotations that make something sound bad

Exit Slip Your exit slip tasks for today are: Read and complete problems 1-3 in your CAHSEE binder beginning on page 203. And… Complete the positive and negative connotation chart on page 205, using the words in the Word Box at the bottom of the page.