2. Denotation and Connotation
The Meanings of Words
Denotation and Connotation

3. Denotation
The strict dictionary meaning of a word

4. Connotation
The emotional and imaginative association surrounding a word

5. Purpose of Words
To label things
I live in a house.

6. Purpose of Words To express a point of view
You may live in a house, but we live in a home.

7. Point of View Positive Negative
We bought inexpensive souvenirs at the amusement park.
Negative
We bought cheap souvenirs at the amusement park.

8. Point of View: Positive
Everyone had a (smile, smirk) on his/her face on the ride home.
Everyone had a smile on his/her face on the way home.

9. Point of View: Negative
I ate a (soggy,moist) sandwich.
I ate a soggy sandwich

10. Positive? You Decide! average mediocre childish childlike spit saliva
antique old-fashioned

11. Context Clues
Words or phrases that help the reader understand a difficult word

12. Using Context Clues The parrot was able to (mimic, mock) human voices.
The parrot was able to mimic human voices.

13. Context Clues: You Decide!
1. The (odor, fragrance) of apple blossoms filled the entire valley.
2. A (swarm, bunch) of bees filled the air near the hive.
3. Tammy (delayed, hesitated) for a moment, then went on speaking.

14. Let’s Play...
Word Jeopardy

15. Word Jeopardy Positive Viewpoint Negative Viewpoint Context Clues 100
200
200
200
300
300
300

16. Positive Viewpoint
immature
youthful
Back to Game

17. Positive Viewpoint
limit
restrict
Back to Game

18. Positive Viewpoint
filthy
dirty
Back to Game

19. Negative Viewpoint
stingy
thrifty
Back to Game

20. Negative Viewpoint
cluttered
messy
Back to Game

21. Negative Viewpoint
unusual
weird
Back to Game

22. Context Clues
After the big test, Rich felt relaxed and ( carefree, irresponsible ).
Back to Game

23. Context Clues
The empty streets looked lonely and ( deserted, barren ).
Back to Game

24. Context Clues
The employees tried to ( haggle, bargain ) with their employer over pay raises.
Back to Game

25. Well Done!

26. p. 15 “Pa fidgeted the money into his pocket”
Now find 5 examples in the chapters you have read so far in Alabama Moon that demonstrate the author’s intentional connotative word choice to imply a positive or negative feeling. For each example, explain the effect of the chosen word(s).
Example:
p. 15 “Pa fidgeted the money into his pocket”
Using the word fidgeted here shows me that Pa is still nervous. He is moving the money around to have something to do and not look obvious about his feelings. I think fidgeted has a negative connotation because if the author wanted to show positive feelings he might have said tossed or jiggled. Fidgeted shows that something is not right.