Interpreting Connotative Meaning

Interpreting Connotative Meaning


Warm-Up: Describe the following word/s based on the picture or your background knowledge. How are they similar and different?

fraternity/sorority gang

Warm-upQuestion:

In each pair of words, choose which one evokes/creates more emotion. Explain what it makes

you feel.


Can you see the difference?What thoughts come to mind or feelings do you have when you see the

top picture…the bottom picture?

House

Home


Can you see the difference? Though they look the same, does one word demonstrate a more negative

representation than the other? Why?

Untidy

Slovenly


Can you see the difference?

Angry

Livid


Begin to notice the difference.

Hungry

Famished


Today’s Objective:

Interpret the connotative power of words.

Explain the meaning of


Denotation vs. Connotation


• Denotation is the dictionary or literal meaning of a word.– Plump = a full, round, and pleasing figure.

• Connotative words suggest or imply emotional feelings relating to a specific meaning– Fat = While similar in meaning to plump, it has

a very harsh and mean tone to it.

CFU: In your own words, describe the difference between denotation and connotation.

connoteconnotativeconnotation

denotedenotativedenotation


• The connotative meanings of words are meanings that suggest an association or emotion in addition to the literal (denotative) meaning.

connection or relation of

ideasexact meaning

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT


Connotative meanings provide stronger, more specific descriptions.

Not connotative (neutral)

Connotative

a loud voice

slowly walked

inexpensive shoes

a blaring voice

lazily walked

cheap shoes


Memories

word

Connotative Meaning

Experiences

Tradition

Context

Where does connotative meaning come from?

Memories

home

ANY place where a person feels happy, safe, secure

Experiences

Tradition

Context

Example

• A word’s connotations are the other words that are associated with it.

• connotations can be negative or positive

• When you interpret the connotative meaning of a word, you discover its connotations.

Interpreting Connotative Meaning.

The connotative meaning of home is: a place where someone feels comfortable, happy, secure. It’s more than just a building or a house.

These connotations are positive.


Larry’s house is in Arizona, but his home is Colorado.



safe



happy



comfortable



familiar



safe, happy,

comfortable,familiar place



safe, happy,

comfortable,familiar place

positive connotations


Racism is a cancer on society.





sicknessdeadly

a parasitecan be curedspreads itself

negative connotations


As he paced the room, the carpet swallowed his feet.



As he paced the room, the carpet swallowed his feet.

FearHis home is alive.

EvilSomething is eating him.

The mood is negative, dark.



The doctor declared that she had an attack of influenza.

Negative.Suggests something hostile.

An enemy.Doing great damage.


The soft breeze stroked the green leaves, murmuring.

softlycaringgentle

the breeze is alive

positive connotations

CFU:

In your own words, what is the connotative meaning of a word?


Why is it important to interpret the connotative power of words?

1. It helps us to infer an author’s tone.

come to a conclusion

Compare the speaker’s tone! • John slowly walked into the classroom.• John lazily walked into the classroom.

Attitude towards the subject


2. Using connotative words will convey emotion and feeling in our own writing.3. It’s on the CST and CASHEE.


CFU

• In your own words, why is it important to interpret the connotative power of words?

• Which reason is more meaningful to you?• Why?


To interpret the connotative power of words:

Step 1: Read the text carefully.Step 2: Underline words that evoke strong

emotions or associations.Step 3: Describe what the word suggests or

the way it makes you feel.Step 4: Substitute a more neutral word and

explain how it doesn’t convey the same image or meaning.


1. “And given the actions of corrupt and unsympathetic police officers in Baltimore, this could possibly be catastrophic to many.”

(Step 3): The word corrupt conveys the feeling/association of fraudulent and illegal activities, and unsympathetic suggests that the police officers in Baltimore are not only indifferent, but heartless. This shows that the writer completely distrusts the reliability of the agency.

(Step 4) The words dishonest and insensitive do not convey this feeling/association, but a common dislike of the law enforcers.

GUIDED PRACTICE


2. “Baltimore is far different city than Oakland and other gang-infested cities, who are dominated by a plethora of street gangs.”

(Step 3): The word ________________ conveys the feeling/association of…

(Step 4) The word ______________________ does not convey this feeling/association but rather…


Plethora- an excessive amount/numberDominate-control, rule

3. “A gang injunction is a tool of gentrification and a tool of white politics and not a tool to fight gangs,” said Kim McGill, an organizer with the Youth Justice Coalition.

(Step 3): The word ________________ conveys the feeling/association of…

(Step 4) The word ______________________ does not convey this feeling/association but rather…


Injunction- an order from a court of law that says something must be done or must not be done

Closure• What does connotative mean?• Why is it important to interpret the connotative power of

words? • “The man in the water pitted himself against an

implacable, impersonal enemy; he fought it with charity; and he held it to a standoff. He was the best we can do.”

implacable: very determined to continue opposing someone or somethingpitted against: to test someone's strength, ability, power etc in a competition or fight against someone or something else

• Why would the author call nature implacable rather than firm?

Independent Practice

The connotative meanings of words are meanings that suggest an association or emotion in addition to the literal meaning. They usually provide stronger, more specific descriptions.

Step 1: Read the text carefully.Step 2: Analyze the underlined word.Step 3: Describe what the word suggests or the way it makes you feel.Step 4: Explain how the alternative word doesn’t convey the same image.


Documents

Interpreting Connotative Meaning