CONNOTATION AND DENOTATION

Prévia do material em texto

Psst…Here’s a literary secret: 
Every sentence in a good story 
exists to make the reader want 
to read the next sentence. 
Every word is chosen carefully 
and intentionally by the author! 
Connotation 
and 
Denotation
These ideas and feelings can be 
positive, negative, or even 
neutral. 
Denotation
● the literal or exact, most obvious meaning 
of a word, without metaphorical or symbolic 
interpretation. 
Connotations 
● the figurative or metaphorical 
meaning of a word or phrase 
that suggests a use other 
than the literal or obvious 
interpretation. 
Context can often reveal the 
intended connotation of a word in 
a text.
“Understanding the 
meanings of words 
can be like peeling 
back layers—layers 
added by time and 
culture.”
https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3D-FtCTW2rVFM%26t%3D37&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1677634130185931&usg=AOvVaw2OLPOZS0Z1Bolwh_IUneEY
Denotation: the precise definition of a word, the 
dictionary definition.
DOG
PUREBRED
MUTT
(of an animal or type of animal) with parents 
that are both of the same breed
a dog, especially one whose parents are of 
different breeds
a common animal with four legs, especially 
kept by people as a pet or to hunt or guard 
things
Connotation: ideas or feelings that a word 
creates in a reader’s mind.
Similar denotation
Male parental figure
Different connotation
Jill made her way home after a tiring day.
The denotation of the word home is “the 
house or building where someone 
lives”.
Denotation x Connotation
“Ben finally felt at home after moving into his new 
apartment.” The connotation of the word home 
suggests a feeling of comfort and 
belonging.
Connotations can be: positive, negative, or 
neutral. 
DOG
PUREBRED
MUTT
POSITIVE
NEGATIVE
NEUTRAL
Similar denotation, different connotation
 There are over 2,000 vagrants in the city.
 There are over 2,000 people with no fixed address in the city.
 There are over 2,000 homeless in the city. 
CONSIDERATION denotation:
The word CONSIDERATION usually has a 
__________ connotation. 
What about in 
the clip?
POSITIVE
POSITIVE
NEUTRAL
NEGATIVE
https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3Dybn7nF-ZPKI%26t%3D90&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1677634131449469&usg=AOvVaw2iffvOqRJPd2rd5tqTNWvh
References
Cambridge Online Dictionary at https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/
WordEd “Context Clues” Tutorial
Kaufman, Charlie, 1958-. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind : the Shooting 
Script. New York :Newmarket Press, 2004.
https://www.google.com/url?q=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1677634131491952&usg=AOvVaw2gy1c0F9otse8E4_V1s2WR