word choice, diction, connotation
1C & 1D
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Denotation and Connotation (5.1)
Formal vs. Informal Language -Slang and
Idioms (5.2)
Effect of Word Choice- Diction (5.3)
Purpose of Word Choice- Author’s Purpose
(5.4)
Denotation is the literal or dictionary
meaning of a word.
 Connotation is the idea or feeling
implied by a word in addition to its
literal meaning.
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◦ An author chooses his words very carefully
to achieve a desired purpose.
~ Denotation
they both mean of or like a child or childhood
~ Connotation
childlike: having innocent, trusting
characteristics of a child (positive connotation)
childish: being immature (negative connotation)
TIP~ think of the negative and positive
connotation of some words
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Consider the following sentences.
◦ I heard my brother talking on the phone with his
girlfriend.
◦ I heard my brother chatting on the phone with his
girlfriend.
How does the connotation of the word chatting in
the second sentence convey the author’s
purpose?
HINT: What does the author what you to feel about
the conversation?
* Practice 134 & 135
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Formal Language - language usually used in
speeches, reports, essays, and most other
nonfiction writing.
Informal Language - everyday language that
may include slang or idioms.
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Formal greeting
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Informal greeting
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Neutral or slightly
informal
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Hello, Mr. Smith.
How are you today?
Dude. Sup?
Hey! How’s it
going?
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Slang - very informal words or expressions,
such as yakking, bad meaning good, ain’t,
and you rock!
Idioms - informal expressions or phrases that
can’t be taken literally, such as “head over
heels in love.”
◦ This is also a type of figurative language.
*Practice 136 & 137
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Is an author’s choice of words and the
author’s use of those words.
An author’s diction could be
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Formal or informal
Technical or non-technical
Descriptive or general
Humorous or serious
Positive or negative
Optimistic or pessimistic
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Tedious
Hate
Waiting
Disregard
Forget
Aggravating
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Exciting
Love
Anticipating
Appreciate
Realize
Relaxing
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT ** 138-142
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A writer’s reason for writing; can include
reasons for using words and phrases.
An author always has a general reason for
writing, such as to explain, to entertain, to
inform, etc., but an author also has a reason
for using specific words, phrases, or even
titles.
◦ Ask yourself, “What does the author want me to
understand by including a specific word, phrase
or title?”
Practice 143-145
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By including the phrase “intensity and
excitement,” what does the author want to
express to the reader?
Does the author use the phrase sent on a
mission support the purpose of the
paragraph?
What does the author emphasize by selecting
the title, “Tennessee Williams, Mississippi’s
Playwright”?
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What effect does replacing the italicized
words with the word concerns have on this
paragraph?
What effect did replacing the italicized words
have on the revised paragraph?
How does the diction in the revised excerpt
affect the author’s purpose?
How does the diction in the revised
paragraph support the author’s purpose?
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Formal, emotional, descriptive, emphatic
Omit, distract, non-essential, concise,
distract, emphasize
Vivid, image, clarifies, reinforces, isolated
Anxious, intensity
Uncertainty, theme
General, objective, descriptive
Contradicts, minimizes, irritation, motive
Restrictions, competitive