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Connotations vs. Denotations
Understanding what authors really mean!
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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?
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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!
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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.
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Another way to think about the definitions...
DENOTATION: The literal meaning of the word. CONNOTATION: Adding attitude to the word.
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An example... “She’s my baby.” DENOTATION: She’s an infant.
CONNOTATION: She’s a girlfriend.
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Try these and see the difference!
Word Denotation Connotation Chicken Addiction Denotation of chicken - animal Addiction - being devoted to something
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Connotations... Connotations can be negative or positive, just like your emotions and feelings!
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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
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If you saw the word FIRM, what would be a positive connotation of the word? What about a negative one?
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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!
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