Unlocking the

Meaning of Words
through Denotation
and Connotation

English 8 Quarter 1 Lesson 8

EXPECTATIONS
This lesson will help you learn and understand: Unlocking
Meaning of Words through Denotation and Connotation.
Specifically, you will learn about the following:
1. Define denotation and connotation.
2. Use appropriate strategy in unlocking the meaning of a word.
PRETEST

Directions: Decide whether the underlined word is an example

of denotation or connotation. On the space before each number,
write D if the underlined word indicates denotation and C if
the underlined word indicates connotation.
_____1. Susie felt very blue after the forest fire that happened in their
country.
_____2. A clean environment is essential for healthy living.
_____3. I told Clara to water my plants; I thought she was my friend, but
she turned out to be a snake in the grass for destroying my plants instead.
_____4. Polluted air and water sources will bring about devastating
effects like cancer, and various respiratory diseases.
_____5. Turn off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth.
 C
_____1. Susie felt very blue after the forest fire that happened in their
country.
D
_____2. A clean environment is essential for healthy living.
C I told Clara to water my plants; I thought she was my friend, but
_____3.
she turned out to be a snake in the grass for destroying my plants instead.
_____4. Polluted air and water sources will bring about devastating
D
effects like cancer, and various respiratory diseases.
_____5. Turn off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth.
D
 Disruption
Growth
Conflict Fear
Opportunity
Loss

Progress

Freedom
 Growth
Conflict
Opportunity
Freedom
Disruption
Fear
Loss
Progress
RECAP
Look at this picture. What do you see?

That’s right! It is a rose. What

comes to your mind when you
see a rose? What does “rose”
mean or represent?
 A rose is a prickly bush or shrub
that typically bears red, pink, yellow,
or white fragrant flowers, native to
north temperate regions, and may be
associated with love, passion,
romance, and death. Your ideas about
this picture have something to do with
our lesson for today.
 When you read and write, you need to be aware of both
the literal meanings of words and their implied meanings. You
as a reader and listener must be sensitive to the emotional
meaning of words a writer uses. Writers often bring a particular
attitude or tone to their stories. This is conveyed in their choices
of words.
How do we do that?
We should know denotation and
connotation.
This is what we are going to talk about today.
Denotation and Connotation
For example, a “puppy”.
Denotation is the literal or
dictionary meaning of a word,
while connotation is the emotional
response evoked by a word.
 A puppy is defined as a young
dog. However, the word also connotes
or suggests images of softness,
warmth, and playfulness. Furthermore,
a connotation may either be positive or
negative.
Example of a positive connotation:

My new neighbor is a mature woman.

Example of a negative connotation:

My new neighbor is an elderly woman.

 Take note that the word mature carries the
connotation of “dignified”, while the elderly just sounds
“old”. An awareness of denotations and connotations
leads you to a deeper understanding of your reading and
better word choice in your writing.
Practice Exercise 1:

Decide whether the underlined word is an example

of denotation or connotation.
He wears expensive clothes
but in reality, he’s a rat.

In this sentence, the word rat means untidy and messy.

Then, what strategy should you use to get the meaning of the
word? The correct answer is connotation.
 I saw a big rat eating a piece of
cheese.

The word rat in the sentence is a rodent. So, what

strategy should you use to get the meaning of the word? The
correct answer must be denotation.
 In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s
home is in a small town in Kansas.

The word home is the place where one lives

permanently, especially as a member of a family or
household. What strategy did you use to get the meaning of
the word? You should use a denotation.
 In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy says
“There’s no place like home.”

What does the word “home” in the sentence mean? In

this case, the word home means cozy, loving, and
comfortable. So, what strategy did you use to get the
meaning of the word? You should use connotation.
Practice Exercise 2:

Identify whether the underlined word gives a

positive connotation or a negative connotation.
 Is that what you're reading? Your
interests sure are unique.

Uniqueness is a bit like prettiness; there's nothing

wrong with being special. So, it gives a more
positive connotation.
 Is that what you're reading? Your
interests sure are weird.

The word weird, however, carries a very negative

undertone so it is a negative connotation.
Yesterday's workout was a challenge.

For something to be a challenge it's not necessarily

bad; you may enjoy it. Now, what connotation does
it give? It’s a positive connotation.
 Yesterday's workout was difficult.

The word difficult is something unpleasant.

Therefore, it gives a negative connotation.
ACTIVITY A1-L8

I. Decide whether the underlined word is an example of

denotation or connotation. On the space provided before
each number, write D if the underlined word indicates
denotation and C if the underlined word indicates
connotation.
_____ 1. My father loves to recycle some plastic bottles.
_____ 2. Troy was a knockout in conserving natural energy.
_____ 3. There’s a twinkle in Tina’s eyes after making reusable
bags.
_____ 4. People should use energy-efficient light bulbs instead of
regular bulbs.
_____ 5. Unplug the electronic appliances when you are not using
them.
ASSIGNMENT:

II. On a short bond paper, create Mind Maps

with two panels to illustrate the denotation
and symbolic connotations of the word.
WRAP-UP
VALUING
Understanding denotation and connotation allows us to know what
a word means. Now if we relate it to our Mother Earth, why do we need
to take care of it? An answer perhaps is that as young people looking
towards the future, we can all take responsibility for our planet and
environment, making sure that we take care of it today so that future
generations will be able to enjoy the benefits in years to come.
POSTTEST

Directions: Read the following items carefully.

Encircle the letter of the best answer.
1. Denotation is a word’s ______________________.
a. literal, dictionary definition
b. emotional meaning
c. synonym
2. Connotation is a word’s _____________________.
a. literal, dictionary definition
b. emotional meaning
c. synonym
3. The word scrawny, as in “Nick appeared scrawny,” has __________
connotation.
a. positive
b. negative
c. no
4. Choose the word with a positive connotation.
a. immature
b. childish
c. youthful
5. Choose the word with a more negative connotation.
a. tolerant
b. broad-minded
c. unprincipled