SHS CREATIVE WRITING MODULE

Quarter 1 - Module 2.2: Definia and the Water Crystal

Determining whether each meaning/definition of a word is
connotative or denotative and giving the connotative and
denotative meanings of a word

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: “No copyright shall subsist in
any work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the
government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary
for exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among
other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.”

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand

names, trademarks, etc.) included in this book are owned by their respective
copyright holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission
to use these materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher
and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.

Regional Director: GILBERT T. SADSAD

Assistant Regional Director: JESSIE L. AMIN

Development Team of the Module

Author: BRYAN E. NOVIO
Editor: JOE-BREN L. CONSUELO
Reviewers: JOE-BREN L. CONSUELO and SDO CAMARINES NORTE
(headed by EMMA V. DASCO)
Illustrator: JOHN LEONARD P. CUIZON and KENNETH JOSEPH P. OCAMPO
Layout Artist: CRIZ T. NUYLES

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Introductory Message

For the teacher:

Welcome to the SHS CREATIVE WRITING MODULE!
This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by
educators from public institutions in Department of Education Region V (Bicol)
to assist you, the teacher in helping the learners meet the standards set by the
K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their personal, social, and economic
constraints in schooling.
This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this
also aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking
into consideration their needs and circumstances.
As a teacher, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing
them to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to
encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

For the learner:

Welcome to the SHS CREATIVE WRITING MODULE!
This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and
time. You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while
being an active learner and at the same time an adventurer. Diego your
learning companion is with you as you embark in this learning journey. You will
transport in the different realms to learn and perform noteworthy tasks.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do
not hesitate to consult your teacher. Always bear in mind that you are not
alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful
learning and gain a deep understanding of the relevant competencies. More
so, use your notebook or a separate sheet of paper in noting significant details
and pieces of information in the different modules and even in accomplishing
the tasks given to you. You can do it!

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 Good day! Being the chosen warrior from the land of mortals, you have
been summoned by Creativa Kingdom to help save its queen from deep
slumber. Diego, the magical guide was sent to help you surpass the
challenges. You, together with him, must embark on a magical journey to
reach the land of Creativa where the queen and her people await you.
As the guide, he will show you the way to reach Creativa. But, be careful
for the path is never easy because of the challenges ahead. There are five
(5) elemental crystals that you need to collect and surpassing each learning
module will earn you a powerful crystal. Gather them all to save the dying
kingdom of Creativa as soon as possible before it is too late.
In Module 1 you have earned your air crystal. Use it on your advantage
to accomplish the different tasks in this module.
For today, you and Diego must reach the land of Definia where the
water crystal is guarded. As such, you are expected to determine whether
each meaning/definition of a word is connotative or denotative and give the
connotative and denotative meanings of a word

You are off to a magical place known as Definia, the water kingdom.
Diego will teach you how to activate the power of the air crystal for you to be
teleported there. However, this place is guarded by the water deities. Let us
seek their help to be able to earn the water crystal after surpassing the
challenges of the place. Have a watery adventure!

To activate the power of air crystal, you must choose words that are
directly associated with water. Ready? Underline your answers. Check/tick off
the boxes that correspond to your answers. There are only three (3) correct
answers.

 High pitched splash and woosh

 Burning desire
 Bluish clear
 Ripples/tiny waves
 heavenly bodies e.g. stars, sun, planets, moon, constellations

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 Did you get all three correctly? Very Good. Now let us use the power of
the air crystal to bring us to Definia. By the power of the air, I summon all mighty
forces. Bring us to Definia in no time!

All right! You made it to Definia, the water kingdom. When we used the
power of air crystal, we used our knowledge of imagery and association. Such
skill is very important especially when we evoke experiences that relate to
mental senses.
However, knowing the different types of imagery would not be enough
to accurately evoke these experiences. Sometimes or even most of the time
we use word associations to establish meanings and /or definitions.
This time we will learn more about association through
meanings/definitions brought to you by Definia.

After setting foot on Definia, the water deities greet you with their
majestic water formation. Diego tells you that this is one royal tradition in the
water kingdom whenever somebody pays a magical visit.

To ensure that you have good intentions in their kingdom, you must
surpass all their tasks successfully. Failing to accomplish these will detain you in
the kingdom and will never have the chance to go back anymore.

Use the Word Search Puzzle to look for the key words that will help us
learn today’s lesson. We only have five (5) correct answers. Good luck!

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 Good thing the water deities are kind-hearted for you are provided with
the starting letters of each answer to serve as clues. Write your answers on your
notebook.

1. M
2. D
3. C
4. L
5. I

Did you get them all correctly? Excellent! But, you are not yet done
because you must create a connection using these words through the
concept map provided below.
Concept Maps are used to simplify ideas so the flow of meaning
becomes more understandable.
As your next challenge, you and Diego must supply the map below from
your answers on the first task. Good luck!

Great job warrior! Surpassing such challenge was never easy but you
braved it and here you are ready for your deepening.

To establish a better understanding of the lesson, carefully read the

discussion below.

In creative writing, to ensure that our words are effective in delivering a

message, we use definitions or meanings.

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 Words are not limited to one single meaning. Most words have multiple
meanings, which are categorized as either denotative or connotative. The
denotation of a word is its explicit definition as listed in a dictionary. Let us use
the word “home” as an example. The denotative or literal meaning of “home”
is “a place where one lives; a residence.” Hint: Denotation, denotative,
definition, and dictionary all start with the letter ‘D.

The expressiveness of language, however, comes from the other type of

word meaning—connotation, or the association or set of associations that a
word usually brings to mind . The connotative meaning of “home” is a place of
security, comfort, and family. When Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz says, “There’s
no place like home,” she’s not referring to its denotation, but the emotions
“home” evokes for her and most people.

There are two types of meaning: connotative and denotative. The basic
difference between the two is that connotation is an implied meaning or the
association made with a certain word. Denotation is the literal meaning.
Recognizing the denotative and connotative meanings of words can help
ensure that you understand exactly what the author is trying to say as well as
ensuring that you are saying exactly what you want to say in your own writing.

The connotative and denotative meanings of words are both correct,

but a word’s connotation determines when it is used. Synonyms have the same
denotation or literal meaning, but almost always have different connotations,
or shades of meaning. For example, the synonyms of “boat” include ship,
yacht, dinghy, and ferry. All these words refer to the same thing, but each elicits
a different association in the reader’s mind.

Since connotation is an implied meaning, it can have positive and

negative connotation. Like the word hardwork. Usually this has a positive
meaning but it can also connote negatively like being work-obsessed or
workaholic. A witty person may be negatively connoted as a person who takes
advantage. These are some examples that make writing more complex. It all
depends on how the words are used based in context or the surrounding idea.

Because of the subtle differences in both denotative and connotative

meaning, be very careful when you use a thesaurus as you write. Some of the
words listed as synonyms or antonyms cannot be switched out equally. You
must understand the context of the sentence.

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 Examples:

Word Denotative Meaning Connotative Meaning

hot High temperature Extremely attractive;
angry
cool Low temperature Popular; acceptable
dead Absence of life Unusually quiet setting
chick Young bird Girl or woman
crazy Insane; mentally wild
unstable
shark Predatory fish Highly-skilled

Sentences:

Denotative: Business is a company or financial organization.

Connotative: Business is one’s personal space or privacy.

Denotative: Master is an expert or skilled person.

Connotative: Master is a traditional mainstream organization.

Practice Task 1: The Water Deities sent you more challenges that you need to
surpass. But I believe your fighting spirit grows bigger because you have to save
Creativa, right? They assure you of the water crystal once you get a passing
score. By the way, do not forget to use your notebook.

Directions: Identify whether each meaning is denotative or connotative.

Write only D or C on the blanks provided in each item. You may consult
your dictionary.

____1. Prodigy is a person who learns easily and has been well-
educated.
____2. Prodigy is a genius person.
____3. Air is something that politicians have whenever they trick people
by their speeches.
_____4. Air is a mixture of invisible odorless tasteless gases that surround
the earth.
_____5. Invest means to pay something that increases value.

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 _____6. Invest means to spend time on something that will pay off in the
future.
_____7. Fast means moving in a speedy way.
_____8. Fast means not in good quality.
_____9. Victim is a person who is weak and cannot stand for himself.
____10. Victim is a person who is harmed due to the actions of another.

Did you get at least seven (7) and above? Very good! We will move on
to the next challenge. However, getting six (6) and below will require you to
answer again.

All right! Proceed to the next splashy challenge! Ready?

Practice Task 2: In each group of words, cross out the one that is NOT suitable
(congruous).

1. pleasure, behavior, instrument, action

2. hypocritical, polite, kind-hearted, sincere

3. valuable, unfurnished, precious, well-known

4. unhesitating, planning, working, complaining

5. unusual, disobedient, hardworking, naughty

Practice Task 3: Give the connotative and denotative meaning of the given
words.

1. dove
a. Connotative Meaning__________________________
b. Denotative Meaning___________________________
2. red
a. Connotative Meaning__________________________
b. Denotative Meaning___________________________
3. teacher
a. Connotative Meaning__________________________
b. Denotative Meaning___________________________

Yippie! You and Diego surpassed the challenges posed by water deities!
If you got a total score of fourteen (14) and above, you can get near the
mythical water dragon and finally ask for the crystal. If you get points lower
than 14, you have to answer again.

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 The Water Dragon is the guardian of the crystal. It wants to test us if you
really understood connotative and denotative meanings. Accomplish its
challenges with a passing rating for you to earn the crystal. May the odds be
ever in your favor!

Identify whether each word in bold is connotative or denotative. Write

the complete word.

1. The shirt was cheap enough for me to afford because I am saving

money. ____________________

2. It is hard to find someone who is true to himself. Some are acting as

if so innocent. _______________

3. Her red dress was a knockout in the promenade. ____________

4. There was a twinkle in her eyes whenever she smiled. _________

5. She grieved in waves of sadness. ___________________.

Give the definition based on the given type of meaning.

6. Connotative meaning of STAR. __________________________

7. Denotative meaning of CHICKEN. _______________________
8. Denotative Meaning of APPLE. __________________________
9. Connotative Meaning of SNAKE. ________________________
10. Connotative Meaning of SCHOOL. _____________________

Awesome! If you got a score of seven(7) and above, then you may
proceed already.
However, a score of six and below will require you to answer again.

Cut out/clip at least (3) song lyrics in English that have connotative and
denotative meanings. Highlight or underline these lines using two colors: red for
connotative and blue for denotative. Paste them on a long-sized bond paper.
This will be part of your portfolio. Happy working!

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 Congratulations! You just earned the water crystal. It
has the power of immunity to fire that you can use as you
journey to more kingdoms to collect the other crystals.
Together, you can achieve better and more!

WATER CRYSTAL

To remember our lesson better, let’s synthesize.

In creative writing, to ensure that our words are really

effective in delivering a message, we use definitions or meanings.
There are two types of meaning: connotative and denotative. The
basic difference between the two is that connotation is an implied
meaning or the association made with a certain word. Denotation
is the literal meaning.

Recognizing the denotative and connotative meanings of

words can help ensure that you understand exactly what the author
is trying to say as well as ensuring that you are saying exactly what
you want to say in your own writing.

Congratulations! You successfully passed the second module. I hope

you learned and had fun. Always remember that no insurmountable challenge
can put us down. Keep the fire within your heart ever-burning for that is the
most powerful weapon. See you on our next magical journey

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Vocabulary Builder
High Pitched splash and woosh

Bluish clear

Ripples/Tiny Waves

Warming Up
Meaning
Denotation

Connotation
Denotation Connotation
Literal

Implied
Literal Implied
Meaning

Keeping you in Practice

Task 1:

1.D 2.C 3.C 4.D 5.D 6.C 7.D 8.C 9. C 10.D

Task 2:

1. instrument 2. Hypocritical 3. Unfurnished 4. Unhesitating 5. Hardworking

Task 3:

1.dove (connotative: freedom denotative: bird)

2. red (connotative: love, passion denotative: color)

3.teacher (connotative: a model of education, source of info.

denotative: a professional)

Cooling Down

1. Denotative 2. Connotative 3. Connotative 4. Connotative 5. Connotative

6. Star connotes a celebrity or a dream
7. Chicken denotes an animal under the family of birds
8. Apple denotes a fruit
9. Snake connotes traitor/ betrayal
10. School connotes a place of learning

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Books/Journals
Dobyns, Stephen .(1996). Best Words, Best Order: Essays on Poetry. New York:
St. Martin’s Press.

Duffy, Carol Ann. (1993). Valentine. Los Angeles: Anvil Publishing.

Engle Paul. (2012).Poetry is Ordinary Language Raised to the Nth Power. New
York Times, 17. New York: New York Press.

Galan,Ralph Semino. (2017).From the Major Arcana. Manila: University of the

Philippines Press.

Jackson, L. M. (2019). The psychology of Creative Writing: From attitudes to

social action (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association.
Sapolsky, R. M. (2017). Creative Writing at its Finest. Mississippi: Penguin Books.
Watson, J. B., & Rayner, R. (2013). Conditioned emotional reactions: The case
of Little Albert (D. Webb, Ed.). CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Platform. http://a.co/06Se6Na (Original work published 1920)

Online:
Bernstein, M. (2002). 10 tips on writing the living web. A List Apart: For People
Who Make Websites, 149. Retrieved from
https://www.alistapart.com/articles/writeliving.

Eco, U. (2015). How to write a thesis [PDF file]. (Farina C. M. & Farina F., Trans.)
Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/...How_to_write_a_thesis/.../Umberto+E
co... (Original work published 1977).

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Wooldridge, M.B., & Shapka, J. (2012). Creative Interplay of Words. Journal of
Applied Creative Interpretations. 33(5), 211-218.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2012.05.005.

Images:
Water Crystal. Retrieved June 28, 2020 from https://il8.picdn.net/shutterstock/
Water Dragon. Retrieved June 28, 2020 from
https://images.search.yahoo.com/search
Water Kingdom. Retrieved June 28, 2020 from
https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.3mDQZ
Water Fairies. Retrieved June 29, 2020 from
https://cdn.wallpapersafari.com/20/47/d3gAxP.jpg

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