The Meaning of Words

What is Diction?

• An author's perspective on a topic

• An author's claim

• An author's choice of words

• An author's opinion

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

What is tone?

• An author/speaker's attitude towards the topic.

• The volume of the Author's voice

• The dictionary meaning of a word

• The emotional association of a word

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.4

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

_____________ is the level of intensity of an author's diction.

• Tone

• Mood

• Denotation

• Nuance

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Connotation is

• The dictionary meaning of a word

• The emotion or feeling associated with a word

• The dictionary meaning of a word

• The intensity of a word.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Read the following passage and determine whether it evokes positive or negative connotative meaning.

Deserts encompass almost one fifth of the Earth’s land surface. Vast stretches of empty sand stretch over a barren, secluded landscape. The endless sea of sand shifts constantly with the wind over the solitary scene. Scarce foliage inhabits the stark environment. The desolate land supports little life. Solitary snakes and lizards seek out enough food to exist. The extreme heat of the day withers the land, making it barren and dry. The night is cold and desolate.

• Positive

• Negative

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Read the following passage and determine whether it evokes positive or negative connotative meaning.

Deserts make up a fifth of the Earth’s land surface. Light brown and bright gold sand shifts with the winds, forming graceful eddies and patterns across the landscape. Cacti wait ready to bloom at the first sign of rain. Seeds lie ready in the ground; roots wait to send up shoots with the possibility of rain. Snakes and lizards bask in the sun or find cover under rocks in the heat of the day. The sun warms the desert by day. The nights are cool and offer respite from the day’s heat.

• Positive

• Negative

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Which group of words help to create a positive connotation in the passage?

Mr. Smith has been a valuable employee since the company started. During that time, he has expressed many strong opinions that have influenced the company. His methods of solving problems are sometimes unusual. In short, he is a real leader. 1. What is the overall connotation of this passage?

• been, since, many, sometimes.

• company, expressed, methods, real

• valuable, strong, influenced, leader

• employee, company, problems, unusual

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which group of words help to create a negative connotation in the passage?

I was shocked to get a birthday gift from my Aunt because she is usually so cheap. When I tore the gaudy paper off the package, I saw a scarf made form flimsy material. It was covered with busy embroidery and flashy sequins. It certainly was a strange present.

• usually, tore, made, covered

• shocked, gift, embroidery, flashy

• birthday, scarf, material, sequins

• cheap, gaudy, flimsy, strange

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

1. Buster was a puny dog. He couldn’t even scare that cat that lived next door.

What is the denotative meaning of the word “puny” in the sentence above?

• small

• large

• noisy

• heavy

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

2. Helen was guarded about her private life. She would not give anyone her phone number and address.

What does the word “guarded” suggest about Helen in the sentence above?

• She was excited about her life

• She does not care about her life

• She is protective over her life.

• She is bored with her life.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.8.4