ENG3U
Essay as Genre
Diction: connotation & tone
Diction: choosing words based on connotation to create tone
When we refer to a word’s denotation, we are referring to _____________________ or to
its dictionary meaning. When we refer to a word’s connotation, we are talking about the
________________or ________________ associated with this word.
When we talk about the tone of a piece of writing, we are talking about the authors’
attitude towards his or her subject. In your writing, you can help strengthen your message by
revealing your opinions and attitudes just by choosing words that will have an emotional impact on
people. On the other hand, if you don’t pay attention to connotation, you might weaken your writing
by creating a negative emotional tone without intending to. You might even find that’you’ve insulted
someone without meaning to.
For example, here is a list of words that all share the same denotation. They all mean “fat.”
But if you used some of them to describe your boss, you might get fired. Some of them might actually
be considered complimentary, and still, some of them are slightly humourous. Choose the one that
you think is the most insulting, the most complimentary, and the most humourous:
portly
fleshy
obese
beefy
bulky
stout
gross
rotund “pleasingly plump”
insulting:
complimentary:
humourous:
The same thing applies when you want to tell someone that he or she is skinny.
Rank these synonyms for “skinny” as you did the words that mean “fat.”
gaunt
thin
wasted
lean
skinny
slender
slim
slab-sided
insulting:
complimentary:
humourous:
Exercise 1
In each item below, you will find three words with similar dictionary meanings. But each word
in the set expresses a different shade of feeling. Arrange each set of items under the columns marked
NEUTRAL, POSITIVE, NEGATIVE.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
lazy
prudent
mousy
out-of-date
dignified
stubborn
new
thrifty
self-confident
curious
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relaxed
timid
shy
time-tested
stiff-necked
persistent
newfangled
miserly
proud
nosy
slow
cowardly
modest
old
reserved
persevering
up-to-date
parsimonious
conceited
concerned
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ENG3U
Essay as Genre
Diction: connotation & tone
negative
neutral
positive
Exercise 2
Connotation plays a big role in the search for the "right word." In certain contexts, a word's
connotation can clash with the picture presented. Sometimes, this has to do with the level of
formality- an informal word is used to describe a formal situation. In each of the sentences below,
one word obviously clashes with the picture presented. Cross out this word, write in a more
appropriate synonym.
1. The Premier introduced his mommy to the guests.
2. The Baroness delicately slurped her soup.
3. Farooq flung down his napkin and pranced out.
4. The United Nations assembly recessed for chow.
5. Zahra is a very dear acquaintance of mine.
6. The gale winds hurt several houses in the area.
Exercise 3
Each of the following sentences has a pair of words with roughly similar dictionary definitions. One
word in the pair is appropriate for the context of the sentence, while the other word is out of place.
Underline the appropriate word. In a sentence, explain why the other word is out of place.
1. Snakes (junk, shed) their skins periodically.
2. The farmer (butchered, executed) livestock to feed his family.
3. The mother gave her baby a tender (smirk, smile).
4. The tortoise crept along at an agonizingly slow (velocity,
speed).
5. Even the coolest star in the heavens in unbelievably (sultry,
hot).
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ENG3U
Essay as Genre
Diction: connotation & tone
Exercise 4
Connotation in Advertising:
If you remember that the purpose of advertising is to sell product and to present a product
in the most enticing light possible, these samples should be simple to do. In parentheses
are four words that an advertising copywriter might choose. Which of the four choices is the
most appropriate for the context? Be prepared to defend your answer on the basis of the
word’s connotation.
In the (aftermath, sunset, afterglow, decline) of a (rough, challenging, formidable, difficult
day), (men of action, energetic men, strong men, busy men) the world over (stop, knock
off, quit, pause) to (relish, enjoy, savour, draw in) the (fellowship, companionship,
comradeship, company) of Gold Label, the internationally (acclaimed, celebrated, eminent,
world-famous) cigar of (great, grand, superlative, magnificent) (fragrance, odor, aroma,
perfume) and (male, manly, masculine, virile) (blandness, mildness, moderation,
gentleness).
Exercise 5
Practicing Literary Language
When we describe the tone of a piece of writing, we can either use an adjective, in which we describe
the attitude of the author, or, we can use a noun which names the attitude- (because the a noun is a
name of a person, place, or thing, and an attitude or emotion is a thing.)
A. Choose the correct form of the following words to complete each sentence.
B. Then, for each one, identify whether it is the noun form or adjective form of the word.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The author’s tone was one of (disgusting/disgust).
The tone of the essay is clearly (sarcasm/sarcastic).
The author’s (reverant/reverance) for her subject shines through the essay.
The essay’s (jubliant/jubliance) tone reinforces the author’s belief that this is a good idea.
While the evidence presented in the essay seems compelling, the author is clearly
(skeptical/skepticism).
June 24, 1836
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
US philosopher, poet and essayist, "the conscience of America". He wrote
ten volumes of diaries.
The language of the street is always strong. What can describe the folly
and emptiness of scolding like the word jawing? I feel too the force of the
double negative, though clean contrary to our grammar rules. And I
confess to some pleasure from the stinging rhetoric of a rattling oath in the
mouth of truckmen and teamsters. How laconic and brisk it is...
Cut these words and they would bleed. They are vascular and alive, they
walk and run. Moreover, they who speak them have this elegancy, that
they do not trip in their speech. It is a shower of bullets, whilst Cambridge
men and Yale men correct themselves and begin again at every half
sentence...
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ENG3U
Essay as Genre
Diction: connotation & tone
Some words you can use to describe the tone of a piece of writing:
disgusted
sarcastic
nostalgic
amused
reverant
angry
disappointed
cold
ironic
compassionate
skeptical
tragic
frustrated
elated
snappy
melancholic/sad
happy
fearful
romantic
humourous
satirical
vitriolic
distant
conversational
bubbly
familiar
lively
neutral
clinical
stuffy
pompous
arrogant
coarse
rude
ribald
What word from the above list would be best to describe the photocaption below? (careful, make sure
you read the rest of the review first so you can get a clear sense of the author’s opinion.
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ENG3U
Essay as Genre
Diction: connotation & tone
More About Tone- The Levels of Language
The following are refusals of an invitation. Read the refusals carefully and, in your notebooks, answer
the questions that follow them.
1. Awww no way, dude. Can’s make it Friday. I’ve already got something goin’. Next Friday’s cool
with me. You down with that? Straight up.
2. I’d love to go to the movies with you on Friday, but I’ve already got something planned. I’m
sorry I can’t make it this time. Could we get together next Friday?
3. Thank you for your kind invitation. I should certainly like to go to the theatre with you on
Friday evening, but a previous engagement makes this impossible. Could we make an
appointment for next week? I shall be free on Friday. Would that be convenient for you?
Questions
1. Which refusal would be most suitable for a letter? Which refusal would be most suitable for a
telephone conversation? Why?
2. List three situations in which the language used in the first refusal would be entirely
inappropriate. Explain why the language would be inappropriate in these situations.
3. We speak of standard and non-standard usage in English. Standard English is the
language that follows the conventional rules of grammar, usage and mechanics. Nonstandard English is language that does not follow these rules. For each of the following
examples, determine whether the language used would be an example of standard or nonstandard usage.
4. We also speak of “levels of language usage” within standard English. Formal English is used
for serious or ceremonial occasions. It is the language of some essays and official documents
and reports. Informal English is used for everyday speech and writing. It is the language of
conversation, friendly letters, and most newspaper and magazine articles. Which of the above
refusals is an example of formal language and which is an example of informal language?
ENGLISH
NON-STANDARD ENGLISH:
STANDARD ENGLISH:
slang, ebonics, dialects, chat-room
speak
follows standard rules of
grammar, words found in official
language dictionaries
FORMAL ENGLISH
INFORMAL ENGLISH:
uses contractions, sounds
like conversation
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ENG3U
Essay as Genre
Diction: connotation & tone
5. For each of the following occasions, indicate whether you should use formal or informal
language:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
a
a
a
a
a
a
cover letter for a job
note to your best friend
personal essay
research essay
literary essay
legal contract
6. What kind of language is it appropriate to use in poetry?
Exercise B
Rank the following version of the same story according to their level of formality:
Most formal, formal, informal, most informal
1. A particular man fathered two sons. The younger addressed his
father with the plea, "Father, allocate to me the portion of
goods to which I am entitled." The father, therefore, divided
his property unto his sons. Within a brief passage of time, the
younger sibling had gathered his inheritance and journeyed into a
foreign land; thereafter, he wasted his wealth with lecherous
living.
2. There was a man who had two sons. The younger of the two sons
said, "Father, may I now receive these goods that are entitled to
me?" Since the man loved both sons equally, he divided his
property between them. A few days later the younger son departed
far into another country, where he wasted his share with riotous
living.
3. There was a man with two sons. The youngest son said to his dad,
"Look, Dad, give me what I've got coming to me." So his Dad
said, "Okay." A couple days later the son packed up and took off
for another state. After he split, he had a hell of a good time.
But finally he blew all his money, livin' it up.
4. Little Brother got his cut, split...and blew the whole wad.
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ENG3U
Essay as Genre
Diction: connotation & tone
Two decidedly different
opinions on the relative
strengths of different
levels of language.
Which do you agree
with more?
Formal is the level of written American English suitable for and typical of the
most elevated conventional writing. Like Edited English, Formal English is the
language most publishers require of their authors of serious expository and
argumentative works; it is the level of language used most often in the
judicial opinions of justices—ideally, at least—and in the written
pronouncements of major governmental figures. It is also the level of
language required in formal correspondence for either public or personal
communication. Letters to people you do not know, as well as instructions
and reports designed to be seen by readers of unknown constituency and
tastes, are usually best couched in Formal Written English. It comes closer
than any other level to being able to serve as a written lingua franca both for
native users and for those who use English as a second language. At its best
it will be restrained but not stuffy, precise but not precious, clear but not
simplistic. It will be correct and never overfamiliar, and it will have a natural
dignity, yet it will never suggest any hint of superiority. It will serve for an
essay in political theory or a letter of condolence, a declaration of
independence or a preamble to a constitution, a statement of principle or an
editorial on national policy. (Much of this book is written in Formal English.)
It is the level of written English that is ideally the least relaxed, the most
handsome, the best tailored, the most admirable, the most reputable, and
the most expressive of seriousness and high purpose that we have in which
to clothe our ideas. And because it is written, worthy examples of it can last.
Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–).
English. 1993.
The Columbia Guide to Standard American
June 24, 1836
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
US philosopher, poet and essayist, "the conscience of America". He wrote ten volumes of
diaries.
The language of the street is always strong. What can describe the folly and emptiness of
scolding like the word jawing? I feel too the force of the double negative, though clean
contrary to our grammar rules. And I confess to some pleasure from the stinging rhetoric of a
rattling oath in the mouth of truckmen and teamsters. How laconic and brisk it is...
Cut these words and they would bleed. They are vascular and alive, they walk and run.
Moreover, they who speak them have this elegancy, that they do not trip in their speech. It is
a shower of bullets, whilst Cambridge men and Yale men correct themselves and begin again
at every half sentence...
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