1. Connotations vs. Denotations
Understanding what authors really mean!

2. Activating your Prior Knowledge!
When you hear the word, UNUSUAL, what Connotations automatically pop into your head?
Would your response match EXACTLY what’s in the dictionary? Why or why not?

3. Understanding an author’s choice...
Good writers often choose their words for the effects they have upon readers. Word choice is also a clue to the writer’s attitude toward his or her subject - also known as the author’s tone!

4. Understanding an author’s choice...
Authors think about the denotation of a word - its dictionary definition, and the connotation of a word - the implied meanings and associations. They must consider these two things before they choose their words.

5. Another way to think about the definitions...
DENOTATION:
The literal meaning of the word.
CONNOTATION:
Adding attitude to the word.

6. An example... “She’s my baby.” DENOTATION: She’s an infant.
CONNOTATION:
She’s a girlfriend.

7. Try these and see the difference!
Word Denotation Connotation
Chicken
Addiction
Denotation of chicken - animal
Addiction - being devoted to something

8. Connotations...
Connotations can be negative or positive, just like your emotions and feelings!

9. Examples...
A word can have positive or negative connotations. Look at the examples below…
Word Positive Con. Negative Con.
Plain Easy Gawky
Unusual Extraordinary Bizarre

10. If you saw the word FIRM, what would be a positive connotation of the word? What about a negative one?

11. Sometimes words have similar DENOTATIONS, but different CONNOTATIONS
Sometimes words have similar DENOTATIONS, but different CONNOTATIONS. It’s important that you know the difference! Let’s practice!