Connotation

vs. Denotation
Word Choice matters
Do you agree with
Jimmy’s analysis of
the different words?
Explain.
Connotation vs. Denotation
Denotation:

● the dictionary and literal meaning of a

word

Connotation:

● the emotional / contextual / cultural

meaning attached to a word; shades
and degrees of meaning
Connotation and Tone
● The words a writer chooses can tell us a lot about their feelings or the
subject they are writing about

● By analyzing word choice, we can infer meaning from the piece of

writing
Example 1: Draw what you picture for each word

House Mansion
Denotation: Denotation:

A Residence where people live A Residence where people live

Connotation: Connotation:
Really fancy house
A place to
live safely.
What feelings/images do you associate with these words?

● Home: A safe place that you can relax

● House: A building people live
● Residence: A place people live that isn’t permanent
● Dwelling: Not a house but a place used to sleep despite the fact,

For each word, write your answer in the text box

 What feelings/images do you associate with these words

Home:
cozy, loving, comfortable, security, images or feelings of people you associate with it
could also opposite --depending upon a person’s experiences.
House:
the actual building or structure
Residence:
Cold, no feeling
Dwelling:
primitive or basic (picture a cave, etc.)
Word Ranking - Write the below in the boxes, ranking
them from the weakest to the strongest connotation.

Displeas upset irritated angry mad furious enraged

ed

Weakes
Strongest
t
Word Ranking

Positive: Neutral:
Negative: economical cheapreduced
reasonable low-value
thrifty half-price bargain inexpensive cut-rate
commonplace
Exploring Connotations of Synonyms
1. On the next slide...

2. think about the word “old” and come up with synonyms for the
word “old” (use thesaurus.com if needed)

3. Put a + (positive) or - (negative) or / (neutral) next them based on

what connotation you think they have.

4. Explain why you classified them that way

 “Old”
-
+ N
prehistoric/gray-
Elderly/senior Aged/mature
bearded/ decrepit
Circle how you are feeling about Connotation and Denotation: