1. Connotation, Denotation and Tone
The Power of Words:
Connotation, Denotation and Tone

2. Is this…. A House? A Home? A Residence?
This picture could refer to a house, home or residence because all three words have a similar denotation, or dictionary meaning. They all could be defined as a shelter, or a place where someone lives. But how do each of these words make you feel about this place? That’s where connotation comes in.
A Residence?

3. When you’re talking to friends, do you say:
It’s late – time to go to my house.
It’s late – time to go home.
It’s late – time to go to my residence.
Why?
Which of these words would a real estate agent use when trying to sell property?
The word “home”, for most people, has an emotional meaning – or connotation – of comfort, family and safety. The word residence has few if any emotional connections. For most people, the word house simply means a building. A real estate agent wants to sell a building, but uses the ideas of comfort and safety in order to sell that building. He or she would likely choose the word “home” because of the word’s connotation.
Why?

4. Denotation = Dictionary meaning Connotation = Emotional meaning

5. Connotation and Tone What is TONE in writing and speaking?
Tone is the attitude the “speaker” presents in speech or writing.
Tone helps create feelings in the reader or listener (the audience).
Answers may vary, although students should be starting to see a connection. Tell them that we will continue exploring this connection and that they will soon be using connotation themselves to create tone in a piece of writing.
How do you think connotation contributes to tone?

6. Negative versus Positive Tone
Immature
What is the denotation of the word “immature?”
Is the denotation positive or negative – or neither?
The denotation of immature is: “not fully grown” or “not yet physically or emotionally developed.” Animals are immature until they are able to survive on their own. The same can be said about humans. This definition is neither negative nor positive – it is simply a description of a developmental stage in living beings.
What about its connotation? How does it make you feel to be called immature?

7. What tone (attitude) is presented in each of the following?
You are too immature to get a driver’s permit.
You are too young to get a driver’s permit.
The first one (using “immature”) has a negative – possibly sarcastic – tone. The second is a factual tone. Although both sentences have the same meaning (denotation), the word “immature” has a negative connotation (silliness, irresponsibility), while the word “young” generally does not.
Why?

8. Which would you rather be called?
What feelings do each of these words create? Are they positive? Negative? Neutral?
Skinny… Slim… Scrawny… Anorexic… Slender
Uneducated… Ignorant… Untaught… Brainless
Fat… Chubby… Husky… Obese… Stocky… Big
Ask students why some of these words might be used. Ask them if they can think of examples where they have either used these words or seen them used. Examples might include advertising, making fun of others, complimenting others, informative text. Ask them what kind of tone was presented with each of the words. How did the word choice contribute to that tone?
Which would you rather be called?

9. Consider… --by Sydney J. Harris (essayist)
I am strong minded, but you are opinionated.
The difference between vandalism and a harmless prank depends on whose child committed it.
If it was your fault, we had a collision, but if it was my fault, we just bumped fenders.
They try to change Our minds by propaganda, but We try to change Their minds by information.
Their nation has a network of spies, but our nation takes security measures.
--by Sydney J. Harris (essayist)
This slide can be taken out if desired, but it can also lead to a discussion about how words are used in our own society to create a negative or positive feeling in the audience. Students could be asked to come up with their own examples.

10. Consider…
You are fund raising for a club or band and are asking a business organization for money.
Would you use:
Cool or excellent to describe your group?
Awesome or
In a formal situation like this, it is best to choose words for their denotative meaning that will mean the same thing to most groups. Slang words with connotative meaning that might be different for different groups are more informal, and will create the wrong tone in formal situations.
appreciated to describe donations?
Lame or unfortunate to describe the financial situation your group is in?
Why?

11. A few more to consider… Why? Why? Why?
If you are writing against the death penalty, would you use the word Execution or Kill?
If you are describing a girl or boy you like to your grandmother, would you use the word Hot or Good looking?
If you are describing a movie you didn’t like to your friends, would you use the word Lame or Substandard?
Why?
Why?
Why?

12. The Power of Words!
Use what you now know about denotation and connotation to make all of your writing and speaking more powerful!