7th- Connotations and Denotations

DENOTATION = definition

But the context in which you use a word might just not be appropriate! It can change the whole VIBE, or CONNOTATION!

Let's talk about snakes, for example.

The literal DENOTATION of snake is a long, limbless reptile. ​
What is the connotation that comes with calling someone a "snake"?

​Connotation = FEELINGS/VIBE of a word.

​IT IS NOT THE SAME AS DEFINITION!!

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All of these words have the same definition:

​stench, odor, aroma, perfume, scent.

The definition of these words is A TYPE OF SMELL.

​

​But you know good and well that you'd feel some type of way if one of these words were used to describe YOU!!!

Multiple Choice

Which one of these synonyms for smell has the most NEGATIVE connotation?

• perfume

• scent

• odor

Multiple Choice

Which one of these synonyms for smell has the most POSITIVE connotation??

• Scent

• Smell

• Odor

Match

Match the WORD with its CONNOTATION

• guest

• visitor

• intruder

positive 🙂

neutral😐

negative😠

• positive 🙂

• neutral😐

• negative😠

Multiple Choice

KEEP THE CONNOTATION POSITIVE!!

She is such a ____ person; different from everyone else!

• Weird

• Odd

• Unique

• Unusual

Multiple Choice

REMEMBER: What is the connotation of a word?

• The definition of a word

• The feeling or vibe of a word

• The synonyms for the word

Multiple Choice

And the DEnotation of a word is...

• literal definition

• synonym

• feeling

​The MEDIA is clever with connotation!!

​News media can twist a situation by choosing a synonym with a much different feeling, or connotation.

​

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​If the news is covering a protest and wants to make it sound more dangerous, what could they call it instead?

Multiple Choice

Which word has the most NEGATIVE connotation for a "protest"?

• Demonstration

• Gathering

• Riot

Multiple Choice

Read the following sentence:

The baby was very clever. It already knew how to crawl into a room without making a sound.

How would the meaning of the sentence change if the author used "cunning" instead of the word "clever"?

• The baby would seem sneakier

• The baby would seem cuter

• The baby would seem louder

• The baby would not seem smart

Multiple Choice

Read the following sentence:

The man stretched slowly, then continued his sluggish walk down the street.

How would the meaning of the sentence change if the author used the word "unhurried" instead of the word "sluggish"?

• the man wold seem more talented

• the man would seem animal-like

• the man would seem lazier

• The man would seem relaxed

Open Ended

What word(s) or phrases could you use that have a POSITIVE connotation to describe someone who never has a set schedule or is disorganized with their time / materials?

Open Ended

Rewrite this newspaper headline that would give it a negative connotation:

"Effective Driving School Program for Teens Boosts Numbers of Young Drivers in Seattle"