Connotations and 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 terms have the same denotations, but they will make readers think of three totally different things: a "vagrant" is a public nuisance while a "homeless" person is worthy of 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). Here's the key to remember: every word has a denotation (definition) and at least one connotation (emotional feeling). |
Connotations hold a great deal of power. By using specific words, we can change people's feelings about almost anything.
If a presidential candidate is talking about the economy, he has a choice to make. If he helped ruin the economy, he might call the economy "in recession," which sounds slightly bad, but not terrible. His opponent, who wants to place blame on the first candidate, would call it "in the toilet."
Read the following lists. Tell me which word is positive and which is negative:
1. Confident, pushy
2. Cheap, Good with money
3. Thin, lanky
4. Smart, brainy
5. Chatterbox, talkative
Activity 1
Practice 1: "It's For You!"
Read the selection, and then answer the questions that follow.
(1) You can't go anywhere today without running into someone using a cell phone. People are either talking on them or texting. Okay, so we know the handheld devices are helpful tools, but shouldn't there be some rules about their use in society? Just because someone has a cell phone, does that make it okay to talk rowdily on it in public? Does everyone in the vicinity have to be bombarded with one-sided conversations, even if they don't want to? Not everyone agrees.
(2) Some people, usually those who use their cells a lot, say it's totally okay to use them anywhere, anytime. They may allege, "America's a free country and it's my right to talk in public! Other people talk to each other all the time while they walk down the street or eat in a restaurant. What's the difference if I talk to someone face-to-face or on a cell? If other people don't like hearing my phone conversations, they don't have to listen! I think they should move away from me so they don't hear what I'm saying! After all, it's very rude to eavesdrop! Besides, cells phones are essential in today's world. You see stories on TV all the time about people trapped in elevators, or under rubble from earthquakes or hurricanes, who used their cells to get help that saved their lives. And cells help kids keep in touch with their families . . . so the kids and their parents feel safer!"
(3) Other people see things differently and say things like, "Public places are for everyone. It's true that this is a free country, so why should I be forced to listen to loud talking and laughing, especially when it's usually about stuff that's really lame or should be private anyway? Trust me, no one wants to hear about the fight you had with your friend, the movie you saw, or what you're wearing to the school dance! People should be able to hang out at the mall or ride a bus without hearing brainless conversations. Last week I was almost knocked down by someone skating at the ice rink and talking on the phone at the same time! If it's important enough for you to call someone, take the time to do it right. A phone conversation is private, so keep yours to yourself! Talking on a cell in public is not only badmannered, it adds to noise pollution!"
(4) Is there a happy medium between using a cell "wherever and whenever" and outlawing its use altogether? Sure, it's called common sense. Be respectful of other people's rights. Don't talk so loudly on the phone. . . . The person on the other end can hear just fine without your shouting . . . and adjust the ring tones so you don't hog the air that's for all to share.
1. Which word could the author have used instead of rowdily that means the same but has a less negative connotation?
a. softly
b. loudly
c. happily
d. quietly
2. Which word in the following sentence gives a negative connotation? They may allege, "America's a free country and it's my right to talk in public!"
a. free
b. right
c. allege
d. public
3. Which word in the second paragraph is a positive connotation for important?
a. essential
b. difference
c. conversation
d. eavesdrop
4. What is the denotation of the word hog? What is its connotation in the last paragraph? Why do you think the author used that word?
Read the selection, and then answer the questions that follow.
(1) You can't go anywhere today without running into someone using a cell phone. People are either talking on them or texting. Okay, so we know the handheld devices are helpful tools, but shouldn't there be some rules about their use in society? Just because someone has a cell phone, does that make it okay to talk rowdily on it in public? Does everyone in the vicinity have to be bombarded with one-sided conversations, even if they don't want to? Not everyone agrees.
(2) Some people, usually those who use their cells a lot, say it's totally okay to use them anywhere, anytime. They may allege, "America's a free country and it's my right to talk in public! Other people talk to each other all the time while they walk down the street or eat in a restaurant. What's the difference if I talk to someone face-to-face or on a cell? If other people don't like hearing my phone conversations, they don't have to listen! I think they should move away from me so they don't hear what I'm saying! After all, it's very rude to eavesdrop! Besides, cells phones are essential in today's world. You see stories on TV all the time about people trapped in elevators, or under rubble from earthquakes or hurricanes, who used their cells to get help that saved their lives. And cells help kids keep in touch with their families . . . so the kids and their parents feel safer!"
(3) Other people see things differently and say things like, "Public places are for everyone. It's true that this is a free country, so why should I be forced to listen to loud talking and laughing, especially when it's usually about stuff that's really lame or should be private anyway? Trust me, no one wants to hear about the fight you had with your friend, the movie you saw, or what you're wearing to the school dance! People should be able to hang out at the mall or ride a bus without hearing brainless conversations. Last week I was almost knocked down by someone skating at the ice rink and talking on the phone at the same time! If it's important enough for you to call someone, take the time to do it right. A phone conversation is private, so keep yours to yourself! Talking on a cell in public is not only badmannered, it adds to noise pollution!"
(4) Is there a happy medium between using a cell "wherever and whenever" and outlawing its use altogether? Sure, it's called common sense. Be respectful of other people's rights. Don't talk so loudly on the phone. . . . The person on the other end can hear just fine without your shouting . . . and adjust the ring tones so you don't hog the air that's for all to share.
1. Which word could the author have used instead of rowdily that means the same but has a less negative connotation?
a. softly
b. loudly
c. happily
d. quietly
2. Which word in the following sentence gives a negative connotation? They may allege, "America's a free country and it's my right to talk in public!"
a. free
b. right
c. allege
d. public
3. Which word in the second paragraph is a positive connotation for important?
a. essential
b. difference
c. conversation
d. eavesdrop
4. What is the denotation of the word hog? What is its connotation in the last paragraph? Why do you think the author used that word?
Activity 2
In each of the following sentences, the italicized word has a fairly neutral connotation. For each word in italics, list two synonyms: one with a negative connotation and the other with a positive connotation.
Example:
Sometimes my thin friend annoys me.
negative connotation: scrawny
positive connotation: slim
Example:
Sometimes my thin friend annoys me.
negative connotation: scrawny
positive connotation: slim
- I recognized the familiar smell of my roommate's cooking.
- Scrapple is an inexpensive meal.
- Kevin's interest in model cars has turned into a hobby.
- Uncle Henry lives in a hut deep in the woods.
- Phileas Fogg was an adventurous traveler.
- We stopped for lunch at a diner in West Virginia.
- My parents are committed conservationists.
- My old laptop has finally died.
- In a quiet and stealthy way, Bartleby moved into the lawyer's chambers.
- The teacher was mildly intimidated by Merdine's assertive behavior.