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RL 8.4: Denotation and Connotation

Published on Nov 21, 2015

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

RL 8.4: Denotation and Connotation

Miss Koga

What is denotation?

It is the literal or actual meaning of a word. It is the direct meaning of a word. It is the strict dictionary meaning of a word.

Why do authors use denotation?

It is used in the documents to state the meaning clearly and without misconstruing the details.

When do you use denotation?

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Denotation is used in formal writing such as business letters, instructions, non-fiction, applications, resumes, and many other formal works.

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Example of Denotation

the dictionary definition of a word

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newspaper article

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What is connotation?

It is the emotional and imaginative association/connection surrounding a word. It's all about "word choice."

Why do authors use connotation?

Authors use connotation to further develop or complicate the meaning of a text. It makes the text more exciting. The reader gets to make a personal connection to the text.

Examples of Connotation

“You may live in a house, but we live in a home.”

If you were to look up the words house and home in a dictionary, you would find that both words have approximately the same meaning- "a dwelling place."

However, the speaker suggests that home has an additional meaning.

If you say, "My house is around the corner," you could literally be saying that the house is at the corner of the street, or you can be implying that it's close by.

Connotation can depend on the person who hears the word and brings his or her own associations or connections to it.

Some words have negative or positive connotations.

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Negative Connotation:
We bought CHEAP souvenirs at the amusement park.

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Positive Connotation:
We bought INEXPENSIVE souvenirs at the amusement park.

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Negative or Positive?

Youthful vs. Immature
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What can affect or impact the connotation?
How can I make an impact on the way you interpret or connect with a word?

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Tone and Context

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Tone: How I feel about a word and how I say it.

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Angry Tone: "Please don't talk to right now."
What is your connotation or interpretation?

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Polite Tone: "Please don't talk to me right now."
What is your connotation or interpretation?

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Context: the situation or the circumstance of the event.

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Angry tone in classroom setting (context): "Please don't talk to right now."
What is your connotation or interpretation?

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Polite tone in classroom setting (context): "Please don't talk to right now."
What is your connotation or interpretation?

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