This document discusses denotation and connotation in word choice and meaning. It begins by defining denotation as the literal or dictionary meaning of a word, while connotation refers to the implied meanings and associations that add attitude or tone. Words can have positive, negative, or neutral connotations. The document provides examples of words with different connotations and their denotative meanings. It instructs readers to identify the denotative and connotative meanings of additional words in a chart. Finally, it presents groups of words that have the same general denotation but different connotations, asking readers to order the words from most positive to most negative.

1. Denotation
Connotation

2. Reading – Word Analysis
Denotation and Connotation
UNUSUAL UNUSUAL
Denotation - extraordinary Connotation - bizarre

3. Good writers choose their words for
the effects they have upon their
readers. Word choice is also a clue to
the writer’s attitude toward his/her
subject – tone.

4. They think about the denotation
of a word – its dictionary meaning
and the connotation – the
implied
meanings and associations when
choosing words.

5. Denotation
is the literal meaning of a word
Connotation
is adding attitude to a
word

6. A word can have positive or negative
associations or connotations. Study the
following chart.
Word
Positive
Connotatio
n
Negative
Connotatio
n
plain easy gawky
unusual extraordinary bizarre
firm determined unyielding

7. Here is a sample of a word that has
denotative meaning and
connotative associations:
“She’s my baby.”
Denotation
infant
Connotation
girl friend

8. Now let’s try one together:
The word player can have two
meanings.
The soccer goalie was a real player.
(discuss the denotative meaning)

9. The word player can have two meanings.
The soccer goalie was a real player.
Denotation:
one who plays in a game
(discuss the connotative meaning)

10. The word player can have two meanings.
The soccer goalie was a real player.
Connotation
one who uses people

11. Here are some words that have denotative
and connotative meanings. On your
paper, create a chart like the one below and
identify the denotative and
connotative meanings of the following
words.
Word Denotation Connotatio
n
brutal
commitment
tight

12. The word brutal can have two
meanings.
The fight scene in the Two Towers between
the Orcs and the travelers was brutal.
Denotation
extremely cruel
Connotation
violent to the point
of entertaining

13. Word Denotation Connotatio
n
brutal
extremely
cruel
violent to the
point of
entertaining
commitment
tight

14. The word commitment can have two meanings.
The couple has a commitment to each
other.
Denotation
a pledge to do
Connotation
an emotional
connection to
another person

15. Word Denotation Connotatio
n
brutal
extremely
cruel
violent to the
point of
entertaining
commitment
a pledge to
do
an emotional
connection to
another
person
tight

16. The word tight can have two meanings.
The dress she was wearing was really tight.
Denotation
fixed firmly in place
Connotation
good, fantastic, awesome

17. Word Denotation Connotatio
n
brutal
extremely
cruel
violent to the
point of
entertaining
commitment
a pledge to
do
an emotional
connection
to another
person
tight
fixed firmly
in place
good,
fantastic,
awesome

18. Favorable Neutral Unfavorable
1. relaxed inactive lazy
2. prudent timid cowardly
3. modest shy mousy
4. time-tested old out-of-date
5. dignified reserved stiff-necked
6. persevering persistent stubborn
7. up-to-date new newfangled
8. thrifty conservative miserly
9.
self-
confident
proud conceited
10. inquisitive curious nosy

19. • Read each list of words below.
• Each word has a different connotation, but
has the same general denotation.
• Decide what the general denotation is for
each group.
• Write your answer on the line provided.
• Then, number the words in each group
from most positive connotation to most
negative connotation. 1 being the most
positive, 5 being the most negative.

20. • ___ guerilla
___ freedom fighter
___ mercenary
___ soldier
___ terrorist
• ____________ (general denotation)

21. • ___ uprising
___ riot
___ demonstration
___ unlawful gathering
___ protest
___ disturbance
• ____________ (general denotation)

22. • ___ prisoner
___ evacuee
___ internee
___ detainee
___ inmate
• ____________ (general denotation)

23. • ___ prisoner
___ evacuee
___ internee
___ detainee
___ inmate
• ____________ (general denotation)

24. Homework
• Go back to slide 18 and write one
sentence for each of the words. Make sure
that your sentence reflects the connotation
of the word (i.e. if it is a negative
connotation your sentence should have a
negative feeling.)