Connotation and Denotation
Connotations vs. Denotations
Words do not have single, simple meanings. We refer to the meanings of words in two parts:
Denotation: The definition of the word
Connotation: An association (positive, neutral, or negative) the word brings up
For example, both "woman" and "chick" have the denotation "adult female." But "chick" has a more negative connotations, while "woman" is neutral.
For another example of connotations, consider the following:
Negative: There are over 2,000 vagrants in the city.
Neutral: There are over 2,000 people with no fixed address in the city
Positive: There are over 2,000 homeless in the city.
All three of these refer to exactly the same people, but they will make readers think of three totally different things: a "vagrant" is a public nuisance while a "homeless" person is worthy of pity and charity. Someone writing a newspaper article in support of a new homeless shelter would use the positive form (homeless), while someone writing an article against building a new shelter would use the negative form (vagrant).
Words do not have single, simple meanings. We refer to the meanings of words in two parts:
Denotation: The definition of the word
Connotation: An association (positive, neutral, or negative) the word brings up
For example, both "woman" and "chick" have the denotation "adult female." But "chick" has a more negative connotations, while "woman" is neutral.
For another example of connotations, consider the following:
Negative: There are over 2,000 vagrants in the city.
Neutral: There are over 2,000 people with no fixed address in the city
Positive: There are over 2,000 homeless in the city.
All three of these refer to exactly the same people, but they will make readers think of three totally different things: a "vagrant" is a public nuisance while a "homeless" person is worthy of pity and charity. Someone writing a newspaper article in support of a new homeless shelter would use the positive form (homeless), while someone writing an article against building a new shelter would use the negative form (vagrant).
Powerpoint
connotationdenotation_(1).ppt | |
File Size: | 1103 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
Practice activity
worksheet.doc | |
File Size: | 30 kb |
File Type: | doc |