SOL 7.4 c- Students will identify connotations

Denotation:

The actual dictionary definition of a word

Connotation

Emotional and imaginative association surrounding a word; the meaning given to a word through its use in a society or culture

For example: Annette was surprised

Annette was amazed.

Annette was astonished.

The words are synonyms (denotations), but they have slightly different connotations.

Synonyms can often have a positive, neutral, or negative connotation. For example, the synonyms scrawny and slim have similar denotations, (thin or not having much weight) but most people would rather be called slim than scrawny.

Would you rather be called determined…

Or pig-headed?

The Denotation of both words means stubborn or strong-willed, but our Connotation of both words is much different!!

How about eccentric…

Or weird??

Similar denotations, but much different connotations!

How about these?

Previously-owned or Used?

Many words have different denotations and connotations

Hot

Storm

Dark

Child

Home

Tired

For quick discussion:

Do the following pairs of words contain positive, neutral, or negative connotations?

thrifty penny-pinching

pushy aggressive

politician statesman

chef cook

devout fanatical

Now get with a partner and try to come up with the denotation and connotation of the following words. Be prepared to explain how context can affect meaning: