1. Connotation and Denotation

2. DENOTATION AND CONNOTATION
Words and images in media texts can work on more than one level.
You will come across the terms denotation and connotation throughout your course. They are important terms for you to understand.

3. DENOTATION is the literal, dictionary meaning of a word.
A red rose is a flower – that is its straight forward meaning or denotation
An apple is a fruit we eat
A lamb is a young sheep

4. Connotations can have negative or positive meanings
CONNOTATION is the extra meanings or emotions we attach to words because of the way they are used in our culture.
Because we all have different backgrounds, connotations are NOT always the same for everybody.
Connotations can have negative or positive meanings

5. Did you know that different colors CONNOTE different things?
Think about the rose…
No flower is associated so much with LOVE as the red rose.
These are all connotations or extra layers of meaning that the word carries with it.
Did you know that different colors CONNOTE different things?
gratitude
friendship
purity

6. Think about the apple… It can be a symbol of health.
It often is associated with teachers.
It’s also the nickname of a New York: “The Big Apple.”
It can even have stand for sin because of Adam and Eve.
These are all connotations or extra layers of meaning that the image carries with it.

7. And the lamb… For many it has religious meaning: “The Lamb of God”
It can even stand for a season: spring .
It also symbolizes innocence: “like a lamb to the slaughter.”

8. There are two dogs. One is named “Killer” and the other is "Sweetie pie”. What do you think this dog will look like based on his name?
Explain answers aloud.

9. Not what you expected? That’s because of CONNOTATION!
This is KILLER!!!
Not what you expected? That’s because of CONNOTATION!

10. This is Sweetie Pie!

11. Now it’s your turn. You will work in groups
Now it’s your turn! You will work in groups. There are words that have connotations attached, but afterward you will find out the denotation.

12. Take out a sheet of paper.
Directions: You will write the word down that you see.
Then you will write what you thought the word means to you or what was the first thing you thought about when you heard the word. (Connotation)
Then I will tell you the (denotation) or dictionary meaning of the word.

13. KICK What do you think about when you see this word.
What do you think is the meaning of this word.

14. KICK Denotation: To hit someone or something with your foot.
Connotatively. KIK is an app used by people to message each other; mostly associated with teenagers and young adults.

15. CRACK What do you think about when you see this word.
What do you think is the meaning of this word.

16. CRACK
Denotation: To break (something) and cause a line on the surface.
Connotatively “crack” has been associated with drugs such as cocaine that has been degraded to lessen the value of the product.

17. HOOD What do you think about when you see this word.
What do you think is the meaning of this word.

18. HOOD
Denotation: a flexible covering for the head and neck; a protective covering for the head and face.
Connotatively, “hood” has been associated with a bad area in which a person resides with criminal activity such as selling drugs.

19. BECKY What do you think about when you see this word.
What do you think is the meaning of this word.

20. BECKY Denotation: A female’s name
Connotatively: Becky has been associated with a white girl’s name only.
If someone referred to a person as a “Becky” normally the female was white.
Beyonce has made the term popular referring to it in her song.

21. WEED What do you think about when you see this word.
What do you think is the meaning of this word.

22. WEED
Denotation: one that tends to overgrow or choke out more desirable plants (2) :  a weedy growth of plants
Connotatively weed is referred to marijuana or a drug that people smoke.

23. BLOOD What do you think about when you see this word.
What do you think is the meaning of this word.

24. BLOOD
Denotation: the red liquid that flows through the bodies of people and animals
Connotatively, blood has been associated with a gang.
Blood also refers to someone who is related to you or someone you are close to.

25. PANDA What do you think about when you see this word.
What do you think is the meaning of this word.

26. PANDA
Denotation: A large animal with black-and-white fur that looks like a bear, lives in China, and eats mostly bamboo shoots.
Connotatively, panda is referred to as a song by the rapper Designer and he is talking about the black and white X6. His black and white cars that he possess.

27. What words have connotations can you think of that are associated with certain words?
Share aloud.