Connotation and Denotation

Connotation and Denotation

Denotation

The strict dictionary meaning of a word.

Denotation vs. Connotation

•Denotation is the dictionary or literal meaning of a word.

 Connotative words imply emotions.

 Plump = a full, round.

 Fat = While similar in meaning to plump,

     it has a very harsh and mean tone.

Purpose of Words

To label things

I live in a house.

Purpose of Words

To express a point of view

  You may live in a house, but we live in a home.

Word Choice

   You may live in a house, but we live in a home.

  The connotation in this sentence is that a “home” is much more than merely the structure of a house. 

The connotation of a word is often either positive or negative

Positive

    We bought inexpensive souvenirs at the amusement park.

Negative

 

    We bought     cheap souvenirs   at the amusement park.

Which word has a positive connotation and which has a negative one?

Everyone had a smirk on his/her face on the ride home. Negative

Everyone had a smile on his/her face on the way home. Positive

Multiple Choice

Describing someone's house as a "shack" would have a __________ connotation.

• positive (+)

• negative (–)

Multiple Choice

Which connotation is most POSITIVE (+)?

We saw ______ animals in the animal house.

• fascinating

• weird

Multiple Choice

Which connotation is most NEGATIVE (–)?

We bought _____ souvenirs at the Lagoon amusement park.

• cheap

• inexpensive

Multiple Choice

Which connotation is most NEGATIVE (–)?

Mike _______ us to go to the funny house. He kept bothering us until we agreed to go.

• nagged

• reminded

Multiple Choice

Which connotation is most NEGATIVE (–)?

The jester was smiling. I didn't like the ______ on the jester's face.

• grin

• smirk

Multiple Choice

What is the best word to use for this sentence to make it NEGATIVE (–)?

He always says what he thinks. He is very ______.

• Truthful

• Honest

• Blunt

Multiple Choice

Which option has the most POSITIVE (+) connotation?

My friend is very careful about spending money. I admire that, so I call him ______________.

• thrifty

• stingy

• miserly

• selfish

Multiple Choice

Which phrase has the most POSITIVE (+) connotation?

• a peculiar object

• a unique object

• a strange object

Multiple Choice

Which phrase has a NEGATIVE (–) connotation?

• a box filled with documents

• a box crammed with documents

Multiple Choice

Which of the following has a NEGATIVE (–) connotation?

• A pushy leader

• A charismatic leader

Multiple Choice

Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Hint: Determine the connotation (positive or negative) through context clues.

Although the problem was difficult to resolve, Sandra and John were ________________ in searching for an answer. Their teacher was quite proud.

• persistent

• stubborn

• bullheaded

• headstrong

Multiple Choice

Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Hint: Determine the connotation (positive or negative) through context clues.

My friend is very careful about spending money. I admire that, so I call him ______________.

• thrifty

• stingy

• miserly

• selfish

Multiple Choice

Which phrase has a more negative connotation?

• frown at someone

• scowl at someone

Multiple Choice

Which phrase has a more positive connotation?

• a peculiar object

• a unique object

• a strange object

Multiple Choice

Which phrase has negative connotation?

• a box filled with documents

• a box crammed with documents

Multiple Choice

Which word has the more positive connotation?

• Horse
• Steed 

Multiple Choice

Which word has the more positive connotation?

• Bean-pole
• Slender 

The End

Yeah!

Multiple Choice

Which word has the more positive connotation?

• laid-back
• lazy 

Multiple Choice

Which of the following has a positive connotation?

• An aggressive stance
• A hostile stance 

Multiple Choice

Which of the following has a negative connotation?

• A pushy leader
• A charismatic leader