Determining Word Meanings

Determining Word Meanings

Multiple Choice

What are context clues?

• Words or phrases near an unfamiliar word that help you understand the meaning of that word.

• How you break apart a word.

• The main idea of a text.

• An educated guess

Poll

Do I know the difference between figurative and literal language?

• Yes

• No

• A little bit

Literal Language

• You say exactly what you mean. 

• You make no comparison, and you do not exaggerate or understate the situation.

 Example: The lunchline went around the tables.

Figurative Language

•  Does not mean what it says.  You have to figure out what it means

• Words or phrases that help readers create a vidi mental picture

          

•  The lunchline snaked around the tables.

Multiple Choice

Literal or Figurative??

Mrs. Brown sometimes gives us too much homework.

• literal language

• figurative language

Multiple Choice

Literal or Figurative??

These bags are so heavy my arms are falling off.

• literal language

• figurative language

Determining Word Meanings

Connotative Meaning

• A word or phrase that is used to describe a feeling or emotion about the word/thing/idea.

• Example: Think of three words that describe a city: lively, crammed, and busy

  • Lively city sounds like a fun place

  • Crammed city sounds like it would be uncomfortable

  • Busy city doesn't sound either fun or uncomfortable.
    
    

Multiple Choice

Connotation is a word's ___________.

• synonym
• emotional meaning
• antonym
• Literal, dictionary definition.

Multiple Choice

Which phrase has a positive connotation? 

• A strong reek
• A strong aroma

Multiple Choice

Which phrase has a negative connotation? 

• Squandered his time 
• Invested his time 

Read the passage above. As you do, notice any imaginative comparisons the author makes.

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Open Ended

Using the text we just read, what would be the correct answer for the empty section?

Open Ended

Using the text we read, fill in what we are comparing in this phrase.

Open Ended

Using the text we read, fill in the effect of the comparison.

Explore how to answer this question. "How does the speaker use figurative language to make comparisons, and what is the effect?"

What connection does the speaker make between a garment and the beauty of the morning? What do they have in common?

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Open Ended

Using the text and what you know about figurative language. What would go into the What is Compared part of the chart?

Open Ended

Using the text and what you know about figurative language, what would go into the Effect of Comparison part of the chart?

Open Ended

Explain what the speakers use of language tells you about his feelings for the city. Support your ideas with specific details from the poem.

Draw

Circle the words in the poem with positive connotations. How do they build on the positive feelings created in the first stanza?

Multiple Choice

Based on the connotations of words such as splendor, calm, and sweet, what is the speaker's attitude toward the view of London in the morning?

• He admires the peace and beauty of the city scene.

• He prefers city sights to the valleys and hills of the country.

• He wishes that the river would flow quietly through the city.

• He hopes that the heart of the city will remain still and silent.

Open Ended

Explain how the speaker's description of the houses conveys his feelings about the city scene.