Diction Review

All words have BOTH Denotation and Connotation: True or False?

• True

• False

CONNOTATION =

• The dictionary definition of a word.

• The emotional meaning attached to a word.

• An author's careful choice of words.

• A connection between two different words.

Choose the word with the negative connotation.

• discuss

• gossip

• news

• report

Choose the word with the positive connotation.

• scrawny

• fit

• underweight

• gaunt

It was a beautiful spring day, and the (aroma, smell, stench, odor) of apple blossoms filled my senses with joy. Which word BEST fits this sentence?

HINT: Determine the CONNOTATION. Is the speaker is showing approval (+), disapproval (-), or neutral (/)?

• aroma

• smell

• stench

• odor

Can you please ask the new saleswoman not to be so (enthusiastic, energetic, pushy, present)? She is scaring away the customers! Which word BEST fits this sentence?

HINT: Determine the CONNOTATION. Is the speaker is showing approval (+), disapproval (-), or neutral (/)?

• enthusiastic

• energetic

• pushy

• present

Which of the following words has the strongest connotation about being cold?

• cool

• chill

• wintery

• frigid

Why do these things always happen to me? First, my boss dumps a huge project on my desk. Then, of course, I leave my wallet on the bus.

_

Which word in the above passage provides a connotation of self-pity?

• things

• dumps

• project

• leave

An author's careful choice of words is called _____________.

• Denotation

• Connotation

• Details

• Diction

Diction makes use of ____________ words.

• Long & Difficult

• Specific & Vivid

• Bland & Generic

• Vivid & Blunt