1. Connotation vs. Denotation

2. Denotation All words have a denotation. This is a word’s literal meaning that you find in a dictionary. For example, if you look up snake in the dictionary you would find this “any of numerous scaly, legless, sometimes venomous reptiles having a long, tapering, cylindrical body and found in most tropical and temperate regions."

3. And you would think of one of these.

4. Connotation Many words also have a connotation. Connotation refers to the associations that are connected to a certain word or the emotional suggestions related to that word. The connotation of snake might be evil or dangerous.

5. You might think of this.

6. You are a young person

7. What kind of young person do you picture with the following words: youngster, child, adolescent, kid, little one, brat, urchin, juvenile, minor,

8. Words that basically mean the same thing can have a positive or negative connotation. Would you rather be called… Thrifty/stingy Pushy/assertive Cockroach/insect Wild/uninhibited bum/homeless Smile/smirk Antique/ old fashioned