This is a brief intro of connotations and denotations for middle school students.

2. The Meanings of WordsThe Meanings of Words
Denotation and ConnotationDenotation and Connotation

3. DenotationDenotation
The strictThe strict
dictionarydictionary
meaning of ameaning of a
wordword

4. ConnotationConnotation
The emotionalThe emotional
and imaginativeand imaginative
associationassociation
surrounding asurrounding a
wordword

5. Purpose of WordsPurpose of Words
To label thingsTo label things
I live in aI live in a househouse..

6. Purpose of WordsPurpose of Words
To express aTo express a
point of viewpoint of view
You may live in aYou may live in a
househouse, but we live, but we live
in ain a homehome..

7. Point of ViewPoint of View
PositivePositive
We boughtWe bought
inexpensiveinexpensive
souvenirs at thesouvenirs at the
amusement park.amusement park.
NegativeNegative
We boughtWe bought
cheapcheap souvenirssouvenirs
at the amusementat the amusement
park.park.

8. Point of View: PositivePoint of View: Positive
Everyone had aEveryone had a
((smilesmile,, smirksmirk) on) on
his/her face on thehis/her face on the
ride home.ride home.
Everyone had aEveryone had a
smilesmile on his/heron his/her
face on the wayface on the way
home.home.

9. Point of View: NegativePoint of View: Negative
I ate aI ate a
((soggysoggy,,moistmoist))
sandwich.sandwich.
I ate aI ate a soggysoggy
sandwichsandwich

10. Positive? You Decide!Positive? You Decide!
averageaverage mediocremediocre
spit saliva
childish childlike
antique old-fashioned

11. Context CluesContext Clues
Words orWords or
phrases thatphrases that
help thehelp the
readerreader
understand aunderstand a
difficult worddifficult word

12. Using Context CluesUsing Context Clues
The parrot wasThe parrot was
able to (able to (mimicmimic,,
mockmock) human) human
voices.voices.
The parrot wasThe parrot was
able toable to mimicmimic
human voices.human voices.

13. Context Clues: You Decide!Context Clues: You Decide!
1. The (1. The (odorodor,, fragrancefragrance) of apple) of apple
blossoms filled the entire valley.blossoms filled the entire valley.
2. A (swarm, bunch) of bees filled the
air near the hive.
3. Tammy (delayed, hesitated) for a
moment, then went on speaking.

14. Let’s Play...Let’s Play...
Word JeopardyWord Jeopardy

15. Word JeopardyWord Jeopardy
Positive
Viewpoin
t
Negative
Viewpoint
Context
Clues
100
200
300
100
200
300
100
200
300

16. Positive ViewpointPositive Viewpoint
immatureimmature
youthfulyouthful
Back to GameBack to Game

17. Positive ViewpointPositive Viewpoint
limitlimit
restrictrestrict
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18. Positive ViewpointPositive Viewpoint
filthyfilthy
dirtydirty
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19. Negative ViewpointNegative Viewpoint
stingystingy
thriftythrifty
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20. Negative ViewpointNegative Viewpoint
clutteredcluttered
messymessy
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21. Negative ViewpointNegative Viewpoint
unusualunusual
weirdweird
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22. Context CluesContext Clues
After the big test, Rich felt relaxed andAfter the big test, Rich felt relaxed and
( carefree, irresponsible ).( carefree, irresponsible ).
Back to GameBack to Game

23. Context CluesContext Clues
The empty streets looked lonely andThe empty streets looked lonely and
( deserted, barren ).( deserted, barren ).
Back to GameBack to Game

24. Context CluesContext Clues
The employees tried to ( haggle,The employees tried to ( haggle,
bargain ) with their employer over paybargain ) with their employer over pay
raises.raises.
Back to GameBack to Game

25. Well Done!Well Done!