1. Denotation Connotation Lyrical
Words
Denotation Connotation Lyrical

2. Denotation The dictionary definition of a word.
Look up two different dictionary definitions for the following words:
sharp
lead
What did you find?

3. Connotation The feelings associated with a word.
Three types of connotation:
Positive
Neutral
Negative
List three words that have the same denotative meaning of “old” but that can be identified as
What did you come up with?

4. Denotation and connotation in Poetry
Read the following poem, keeping denotation and connotation in mind:
“Things”
by Fleur Adcock
There are worse things than having behaved foolishly in public.
There are worse things than these miniature betrayals,
committed or endured or suspected; there are worse things
than not being able to sleep for thinking about them.
It is 5 a.m. All the worse things come stalking in
and stand icily about the bed looking worse and worse and worse.

5. Denotation and connotation in Poetry
Now read the poem for a second time and then answer the questions that follow:
“Things”
by Fleur Adcock
There are worse things than having behaved foolishly in public.
There are worse things than these miniature betrayals,
committed or endured or suspected; there are worse things
than not being able to sleep for thinking about them.
It is 5 a.m. All the worse things come stalking in
and stand icily about the bed looking worse and worse and worse.
Why does the author use “things” instead of other more specific words?
How does the subject matter of the poem develop the connotation of the word “things”?

6. Lyrical
The way words sound when spoken together and spoken separately.
Creates a musical aspect in language.
Can underscore important ideas, themes, or emotions.

7. Lyrical Sounds words make: One word alone can make a sound:
Onomatopoeia
Words together can make a sound:
Alliteration
Rhyme

8. Lyrical Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Read the Beginning of Dulce et Decorum Est:
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.

9. Lyrical
Describe the sounds patterns you notice, using strong and precise adjectives.
Describe what effect do these sounds have on you, the reader.
Analyze how this effect makes you feel? Think?

10. Lyrical: Construct your own
Write a poem or rap that uses lyrical words to convey meaning.
Examples:
A sneaky person might use a lot of “S” sounds to evoke a sinister, snake-like nature
A bad poet might try to rhyme everything he says, highlighting he is a bad poet
OR:
You may work in partners and complete the poem/rap on one piece of paper between the two of you. Be prepared to share with the class.