W H AT D O Y O U S E E AT F I R S T G L A N C E ?
W H AT D O E S T H I S R E P R E S E N T I N T O D AY ’ S
WO R L D ?
DENOTATION IS THE LITERAL
MEANING OF THE PICTURE
…WHILE CONNOTATION FOCUSES ON THE
UNDERLYING MESSAGE OR FEELINGS IT
CONTAINS
Denotations and Connotations: Word Overtones
The denotation of a word is its exact meaning as
stated in a dictionary.
Example: The denotation of skinny is “very thin.”
The connotation of a word is an added meaning that
suggests something positive or negative. Examples:
Negative: Skinny suggests “too thin.” Skinny has a
negative connotation.
Positive: Slender suggests “attractively thin.”
Slender has a positive connotation.
READ EACH OF THESE STATEMENTS ABOUT TED’S
RESTAURANT. STATE THE WORD IN PARENTHESES
THAT HAS THE MORE POSITIVE CONNOTATION.
• 1. Ted’s Restaurant is furnished with (old, antique) furniture.
• 2. The servers are all (young, immature).
• 3.You can sit at a table or in a (cozy, cramped) booth.
• 4. The service at Ted’s is (slow, unhurried).
• 5. Ted’s serves very (simple, plain) food.
• 6. One of the specialties is (rare, undercooked) steak.
• 7. (Blackened, Burned) prime rib is another.
• 8. Customers (sip, gulp) their cold drinks.
READ EACH OF THESE STATEMENTS ABOUT TED’S
RESTAURANT. STATE THE WORD IN PARENTHESES
THAT HAS THE MORE NEGATIVE CONNOTATION.
• 9. The beef at Ted’s Restaurant is (firm, tough) and juicy.
• 10. The pies are (rich, greasy) with butter.
• 11. The crust is so (crumbly, flaky) it falls apart.
• 12. A (moist, soggy) cake is also available for dessert.
• 13. A group of (loud, enthusiastic) regulars eats at Ted’s every Saturday
night.
• 14. The steaks at Ted’s are cooked over a charbroiled (flame, inferno).