1. March 7 – All About Words Agenda: Vocabulary Test
“Using Language Well”
Reading/Annotation
Write Now (3rd page)
Diction:
Denotation and Connotation
Goal:
Explore the use of connotative language in writing
Take out:
For the test
A Pen/Pencil
After the test
The Great Gatsby
Your Notebook
Homework:
Complete and bring in your “Write Now” answers

2. Vocabulary Test & “Using Language Well”
Take the Vocabulary test for chapter 1 & 2 of The Great Gatsby
Raise your hand when you are finished, and I’ll give you a copy of “Using Language Well”
Read and annotate “Using Language Well”
Annotations should include new information, words you don’t know, and connections that you can make
After reading, complete all parts of the “Write Now” assignment on the third page

4. Using Language Well
How does Fitzgerald use descriptive language in a particular way?
Did anything in this article stand out as interesting?

5. Diction Diction = Word Choice
Authors like Fitzgerald use specific and carefully-chosen diction in their writing
Brainstorm Quick-Write:
What difference does diction make in the meaning of a sentence?
Come up with an example to show how diction can make a difference

6. Diction – Brainstorm
Create a brainstorm web around the following word, writing down anything that it makes you think about:
MANSION

7. Diction Denotation = The direct meaning of a word
Connotation = The suggested meaning of a word
What is the DENOTATION and the CONNOTATION of the word “mansion”
The denotation:
The connotation:
Why would a writer choose to use the word “mansion”?

8. Diction Which would you rather be called? Why?
Trusting or Gullible?
Cautious or Cowardly?
Hypocritical or Tactful?
Enthusiastic or Fanatical?
Each row contains words with similar denotations, but different connotations.
When analyzing the significance of diction, carefully consider how and why words are selected.
It is helpful to be aware of the denotative meanings of words but to be especially conscious of their connotative significance.

9. Turn to page 43
Read the first paragraph, which is five sentences long.
Identify any words that you don’t know.
In your notebook, write a SIMPLE five sentence paragraph that has the same DENOTATIVE meaning as this paragraph.
It should be simple and short
Share your paragraph with your neighbor

10. Now identify and write in your notebook the connotative words in Fitzgerald's paragraph
For each word, explain their CONNOTATIVE meaning
Compare your paragraph vs. Fitzgerald’s – How does the meaning change?
Continue reading chapter 3, looking for connotative details as you go

11. Considering Diction – Write Now
Rewrite the sentences, replacing the underlined word with stronger word choice.
Make sure to consider the connotation of the words you choose:
Terrified, Melvin walked toward the towering giant.
The center fielder ran toward the fence and caught the ball.
The starving camper ate his first meal in weeks.
Ecstatic, Wendy went to the stage to receive her award.
The worm moved inside of the apple.
Make up sentences to show how each word in the following pairs should be used:
Take/Seize
Leap/Pounce
Move/Totter
Eat/Gorge
Leave/Escape
Kill/Execute
Write/Scribble
Think/Cogitate
Trot/Sprint
Walk/Shuffle
Write a paragraph describing a social event that attended during the past year – using the description of Gatsby’s party as a model.