Connotative/Denotative Language

1. Connotative/Denotative Language

2. Bellringer! • Write two to three (2-3) words and/or phrases that describe the feelings that come to mind when you think of the following words: • Mother • Home • Teacher • Police officer

3. Word Choice! Directions: Beneath the bellringer, number your paper 1-6. In the pairs of sentences, put a + sign for the sentence that has a more positive connotation, and a – sign for the sentence that has a more negative connotation Example: • + • -

4. Word Choice • Randy’s clever nature made it easy for him to roach food off his friends’ plates. • Randy’s sly nature made it easy for him to roach food off his friends’ plates. • The cackling girls are getting on my nerves! • The giggling girls are getting on my nerves!

5. Word Choice 5. The cop issued me a ticket for catapulting a red slushy at my friend during lunch. 6. The officer issued me a ticket for tossing a red slushy at my friend during lunch.

6. Denotative Language • The dictionary definition of a word • What is the denotative meaning of the word mother?

7. Denotative Meaning • Mother—a female parent

8. Connotative Language • Language that has implied meaning that emphasizes the feelings and emotions surrounding words • What is the connotative meaning(s) of the word mother?

9. Does a real estate agent sell you a house, ordoes he/she sell you a home? How are the words different?

10. On your own… Think quick! Write down the first word or phrase that comes to mind when you hear the following words: • Villain • Pity • Arrogant

11. Denotative versus Connotative • Now, check your responses (your connotations) with the denotative meaning of each term: • Villain: a cruelly malicious person who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime. • Pity: sympathetic or kindly sorrow evoked by the suffering. • Arrogant: a sense of superiority, self-importance, or entitlement Were your connotations similar or dissimilar to the denotative meaning of each word? Explain.