Word Choice and Connotation

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

• The man would seem less lazy

• the man would seem funnier

• the man wold seem more talented

• the man would seem animal-like

What is the term for the emotions that a word stirs in a reader?

• synonym

• connotation

• denotation

• acronym

Read the sentences. What is the difference between the words mortified and embarrassed?

• "mortified" is an antonym of "embarrassed"

• "mortified" is more intense and has a more negative connotation than "embarrassed"

• "Embarrassed" is more intense and has a more negative connotation than "mortified"

• "mortified" and "embarrassed" have different denotations

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 stupider

• The baby would seem louder

Which phrase has a negative connotation? 

• Squandered his time 

• Invested his time 

What is the term for the emotions that a word stirs in a reader?

(PICTURES HAVE A PURPOSE so read the image for extra help)

• synonym

• connotation

• denotation

• acronym

Words have a denotation (dictionary definition) AND connotation (emotional meaning).

• True

• False

Match the following terms to their correct definitions.

• perspective

• the strict/exact dictionary meaning of a word

• connotation

• a person’s interpretation/view of events, people, and places based on their own personal experiences, opinions/bias, and background

• word choice

• the specific words that a person/writer chooses to use to communicate with

• denotation

• the the emotional and imaginative association surrounding a word

Words have a denotation (dictionary defintion) AND connotation (emotional meaning). Las palabras tienen una denotación (definición del diccionario) Y una connotación (significado emocional).

• True

• False

Which sentence has the weakest connotation?

• I'm fine.

• I'm fantastic.

• I'm great.

• I'm wonderful.