FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

DENOTATION

• Literal or actual meaning of a word
• Definition found in the dictionary
• Denotation, Definition, Dictionary all start with a D

CONNOTATION

• Mental, emotional, and social associations the mind makes with a word
• Associations with a word depending on thoughts
• Positive or negative
• Connotation=Connections with words

Light: natural agent that stimulates sight & makes things visible
Light: sun, life, glow, energy, good

Dark: absence of light
Dark: evil, fear, sadness, bad

Chicken: a domestic fowl

• Chicken: a domestic fowl
• Chicken: a person who is scared

Chicken: a person who is scared

CONNOTATION: WRITERS' INTENT

• Writers chose words to convey meaning to the reader
• Connotation gives reader an idea of what the writer wants the reader to understand
• Ex: John is stubborn or determined
• Stubborn: negative connotation
• Determined: positive connotation
• Ex: Sue is nosy or Sue is curious

WORD CHOICE

• Stench & Frangrance
• Close to same denotation but different connotations

Stench has a more negative connotation
Stench: rotten eggs or garbage

Fragrance has a positive connotation
Fragrance: pretty flowers or perfume

THE END