WEEK 1
Week of September 5
Words have Denotation and a
Connotation meanings.
Denotation: Dictionary meaning of
the word; the literal meaning of
the word.
Connotation: Your connection to
the word – the emotions in which
the word evokes.
For example …
The words “woman” and
“chick” have the denotation
“adult female” in North
America. HOWEVER, “chick”
has a negative connotation.
Consider the following connotations:
Positive: There are over 2,000
homeless in the city.
Neutral: There are over 2,000
people with no fixed address in
the city.
Negative: There are over 2,000
vagrants in the city.
The word “vagrant” means a
“public nuisance”;
“homeless” evokes pity and
charity. Words like “Negro”
and “crippled” have been
replaced with neutral
connotations: “AfricanAmerican” and
“handicapped” …
SIMPLE SENTENCE
A simple sentence contains a subject and
a verb. It can contain modifiers, too
(i.e. adjective, adverbs, prepositional phrases, etc.).
Example: 1. We won.
2. We won the game against Exeter.
FAUX PAS (foh PAH).
Noun.
DENOTATION: a slip or blunder in
etiquette, manners, or conduct; an
indiscretion.
CONNOTATION: an embarrassing mistake
The sign in the window stated
“Hams for Chanukah”, a
religious faux pas to Jewish
people.
ECLECTIC (eek LECK tik).
Adjective.
DENOTATION: made up of elements
from different sources
CONNOTATION: variety; diversified;
broad
Simon’s closet was an
eclectic array of clothing,
including outfits from the
1950s to the present.
UBIQUITOUS
(yoo BIHK wih tis).
adjective.
Denotation: Existing or being
everywhere, or in all places, at the
same time; omnipresent
Connotation: being everywhere at
once
Online gambling, shopping and
videoconferencing may all be
ubiquitous in the future.
AUSPICIOUS (ô SPISH əs)
adjective
Denotation:
promising success;
propitious; opportune;
Connotation:
favorable;
successful
The auspicious fundraiser allowed
the charity to donate hundreds of
toys to the orphanage.
WEEK 2
Week of September 12
Grammar/Writing Connection
COMPOUND SENTENCE: two or more
COMPLETE sentences joined together by
a coordinating conjunction (and, but,
for, or, nor, yet, so)
Mnemonic: FANBOYS
For And Nor But Or Yet So
OFFICIOUS (uh FISH us).
Adjective.
Denotation: eager in offering
unwanted services or advice
Connotation: a pest; annoying
The OFFICIOUS waitress kept
asking us for coffee, but we kept
refusing her.
GREGARIOUS
(gruh GAIR ee us).
Adjective.
Denotation: Seeking and
enjoying the company of
others;
Connotation: sociable
Greg’s GREGARIOUS
personality allowed him to enjoy
a lucrative career in sales, for
people were drawn to him.
COGNIZANT
(KOG ni zent).
adjective.
Denotation: fully informed;
conscious
Connotation: knows what’s
happening
While strumming his guitar, Michael
was cognizant of the three girls
staring at him, yet he acted
disinterested.
VORACIOUS (vo RAY shush).
Adjective.
DENOTATION: An insatiable appetite for an
activity or pursuit; eager to consume great
amounts of food
CONNOTATION: Can’t get enough of
something
Big Sue had a VORACIOUS
appetite during church camp; she
wasn’t allowed to eat at the salad
bar after the ninth time.
WEEK 3
Week of September 19
Grammar/Writing Connection
COMPOUND SENTENCE: two or more
COMPLETE sentences joined together by
a coordinating conjunction (and, but,
for, or, nor, yet, so)
Mnemonic: FANBOYS
For And Nor But Or Yet So
WRITHE
(ryth). Verb.
DENOTATION: To twist or bend; to suffer
pain or embarrassment
CONNOTATION: cringe; suffer; agonize
“Bulls WRITHE when cowboys RIDE”
Tina WRITHED, for Mr.
Flenkins embarrassed
her for the third time.
CAVALIER
(kav ah LEER).
Adjective.
Denotation: Casual; carefree and nonchalant;
Connotation: cocky; arrogant
Noun
A gallant gentleman
Mike had a cavalier
attitude toward
marriage, so his wife
left him after six
months of marriage.
BILK (BILK).
Verb.
Denotation: to defraud; swindle
Connotation: cheat
Sharon, the head
French fry woman,
bilked McDonalds
out of $500.00, so
the company sued
her quickly.
CASTIGATE
(KASS ti gayt).
verb.
Denotation: to punish; chastise
Connotation: criticize severely
Andy’s teacher castigated him
continuously in front of the class for
failing the test; his classmates
laughed at him.
WEEK 4
Week of September 26
Grammar/Writing Connection
COMPOUND SENTENCE: two or more
COMPLETE sentences joined together by
a coordinating conjunction (and, but,
for, or, nor, yet, so)
Mnemonic: FANBOYS
For And Nor But Or Yet So
EGREGIOUS (I GREE jiss).
Adjective.
DENOTATION: conspicuously bad
CONNOTATION: extremely bad;
offensive
The teacher noticed
Bubba’s
EGREGIOUS error,
but she decided not
to tell his momma.
AMBIVALENCE
(am BIV ah lents). Noun.
Indecision; experiencing
contradictory emotions
Mike’s AMBIVALENCE
about which woman to
choose made him
disregard the whole idea
of dating, but in two
weeks, he found the love
of his life.
ACUMEN (AK yə mən)
(NOUN)
Denotation: Quickness
and keenness of
judgment or insight
Connotation: wisdom; a
“good eye” for detail
With all respect for your natural
acumen, I do not think you’re a
match for the detective, for you don’t
have life experience.
SURREPTITIOUS (sur ep TISH us)
Adjective.
DENOTATION: Done or acting
in a secret, sly manner …
clandestine, furtive.
CONNOTATION: sneaky
Sean tried to be SURREPTITIOUS
in the store, yet Miss Smith noticed
him taking a five-finger discount.
WEEK 5
Week of October 3
Grammar/Writing Connection
COMPOUND SENTENCE: two or more
COMPLETE sentences joined together by
a coordinating conjunction (and, but,
for, or, nor, yet, so)
Mnemonic: FANBOYS
For And Nor But Or Yet So
ONEROUS (AHN ur us).
Adjective.
Denotation: Troublesome or
oppressive; burdensome
Connotation: difficult
We had the ONEROUS
task of pushing our car
two miles to the
nearest gas station, for
Billy forgot to buy gas.
ATTRITION (ah TRISH un).
Noun/Adjective.
Denotation: A reduction or decrease in numbers,
size, or strength …
Connotation:
“Over-FISHIN’ can lead to ATTRITION”
Many teachers retired this year, so
the ATTRITION rate is high.
LIST 2
CARRION (KAIR ee un).
Noun.
Denotation: Dead and
rotting flesh
Connotation: corpse
RAMSES II mummy
Egypt’s greatest and most powerful pharaoh
Days after the battle, the
battlefield was littered
by the CARRION of
brave soldiers, but the
town was too tired to
clean it up.
DEPLOY
(di PLOY). verb. To arrange strategically
The U.S. Navy DEPLOYED many sailors
at Pearl Harbor, yet the men were
unprepared for the attack.
“David DEPLOYED his TOYS to attack his sister.”
WEEK 6
Week of October 10
Grammar/Writing Connection
COMPLEX SENTENCE: One main clause
and AT LEAST one dependent/subordinate
clause.
To create a dependent/subordinate
clause, use this “formula”:
Subordinating Conjunction + Main Clause
Subordinating Conjunctions
after
inasmuch as
supposing (that)
although
in case (that)
once
than
as
in order that
that
as (far/soon)
asinsofar as
though
as if
in that
until
as though
lest
unless
because
no matter how
before
now that
when
whenever
even if
where
wherever
even though
provided (that)
whether
how
since
while
if
so that
Relative pronouns also serve as markers of subordinate clauses: That, what, which, who**,
whoever, whom, whomever, whose
** WHO takes the place of the subject in a subordinate
clause
BELLIGERENT (be LIG er ent).
Adjective.
Denotation: hostile; inclined to fight
Connotation: mean and hateful
Contrary to popular
belief, Derek
doesn’t have a
belligerent bone in
his body, because
he’s a lover, not a
fighter.
BRANDISH
(BRAN dish).
Verb.
Denotation: wave menacingly
Connotation: swing back and forth
The men
brandished
swords, as they
fought for the
hand of the
damsel.
CAMARADERIE
(kahm RAH da ree).
noun.
Denotation: trust; sociability
among friends
Connotation: friendship
Timmy likes the camaraderie of his
friends in the accordion club,
although many of them make caustic
remarks when someone plays a wrong
note.
CATALYST
(KAT uh list).
noun.
Denotation: something causing
change without being changed
Connotation: begins something
After she watched an animal rights
protest, Roxie decided to become a
catalyst for change.
WEEK 7
Week of October 17
Grammar/Writing Connection
COMPLEX SENTENCE: One main clause
and AT LEAST one dependent/subordinate
clause.
To create a dependent/subordinate
clause, use this “formula”:
Subordinating Conjunction + Main Clause
Subordinating Conjunctions
after
inasmuch as
supposing (that)
although
in case (that)
once
than
as
in order that
that
as (far/soon)
asinsofar as
though
as if
in that
until
as though
lest
unless
because
no matter how
before
now that
when
whenever
even if
where
wherever
even though
provided (that)
whether
how
since
while
if
so that
Relative pronouns also serve as markers of subordinate clauses: That, what, which, who**,
whoever, whom, whomever, whose
** WHO takes the place of the subject in a subordinate
clause
EVANESCENT (ev-uh-NES-uh nt).
Adjective.
DENOTATION: momentary; transient
CONNOTATION: short-lived; fading away
Tornadoes are
capricious and
Evanescent, while
they destroy lives.
DISHEVELED (di SHEV uld).
Adjective.
DENOTATION: marked by disorder; untidy
CONNOTATION: messy
Jennifer neatened her hair
between classes, because
she didn’t like to look
disheveled.
COERCE (koh URS).
Verb.
DENOTATION: to force someone by
threatening or physically overpowering
them
CONNOTATION: harass; threaten
The Phantom
COERCED the owners
of the Opera Populaire
when he demanded
that they use Christina
as a soloist.
AUDACIOUS (adjective)
aw DAY shis
Denotation: bold, daring
Connotation: fearless
The warrior felt
audacious, until he
saw the enemy riding
towards him.
WEEK 8
Week of October 24
Grammar/Writing Connection
COMPLEX SENTENCE: One main clause
and AT LEAST one dependent/subordinate
clause.
To create a dependent/subordinate
clause, use this “formula”:
Subordinating Conjunction + Main Clause
Subordinating Conjunctions
after
inasmuch as
supposing (that)
although
in case (that)
once
than
as
in order that
that
as (far/soon)
asinsofar as
though
as if
in that
until
as though
lest
unless
because
no matter how
before
now that
when
whenever
even if
where
wherever
even though
provided (that)
whether
how
since
while
if
so that
Relative pronouns also serve as markers of subordinate clauses: That, what, which, who**,
whoever, whom, whomever, whose
** WHO takes the place of the subject in a subordinate
clause
LIST 2
ABATE (ah BAIT).
Verb.
DENOTATION: to reduce
CONNOTATION: to lessen
Resuming our picnic was easy,
once the storm finally ABATED.
Because she had confidence,
Martha’s defeat in the tennis
tournament did not ABATE her
zeal for the game.
LITHE (lythe).
Adjective.
DENOTATION: bending
easily and gracefully
CONNOTATION: flexible
The LITHE ballerina
stretched her muscles
before performing “Dance
of the Sugar Plum Fairy”,
although she was
paralyzed with fear.
Assiduous (adjective)
uh SI joo iss
Denotation: diligent;
persistent
Connotation: hardworking
Jody’s friends considered
him assiduous, until he
cried while trapped on
the cliff.
Avant-Garde (adjective)
AH vant GARD
Denotation: radically new
Connotation: original
When she promenaded
into the annual Ladies’
Tea, Rosanna’s avantgarde clothing caused a
stir among the women.
WEEK 9
Week of October 31
Grammar/Writing Connection
COMPLEX SENTENCE: One main clause
and AT LEAST one dependent/subordinate
clause.
To create a dependent/subordinate
clause, use this “formula”:
Subordinating Conjunction + Main Clause
Subordinating Conjunctions
after
inasmuch as
supposing (that)
although
in case (that)
once
than
as
in order that
that
as (far/soon)
asinsofar as
though
as if
in that
until
as though
lest
unless
because
no matter how
before
now that
when
whenever
even if
where
wherever
even though
provided (that)
whether
how
since
while
if
so that
Relative pronouns also serve as markers of subordinate clauses: That, what, which, who**,
whoever, whom, whomever, whose
** WHO takes the place of the subject in a subordinate
clause
COLOSSAL (adjective)
kuh LOS ul
Denotation:
Immense; enormous
Connotation: very big
Jacob realized they made a
colossal error by shoplifting
at Target.
Complacence (noun)
kom PLAY sens
Denotation:
Self-satisfaction; lack of
concern
Connotation: contentment;
satisfaction
George’s complacence about
studying quickly ended when
he realized he was in danger
of failing English 10.
CONDUIT (noun)
KON doo it
Denotation:
Tube, pipe, or similar passage
Connotation: a channel;
passage
The girl’s bathroom was
Carla’s conduit to gossip
about boys, whenever
she needed a safe place.
CONSENSUS (noun)
kon SEN suss
Denotation: unanimity
Connotation: agreement in opinion or
attitude
After much debate, Troy and
the rest of the student
council reached a
consensus and decided to
have a car wash as a senior
trip fundraiser, although
some of the students voiced
their objections.
WEEK 10
Week of November 7
Grammar/Writing Connection
COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE: Two
main clauses and AT LEAST one
dependent/subordinate clause.
SHORT CUT:
Create a compound sentence first, THEN
add at least one dependent/subordinate
clause.
CONSUMMATE (adjective)
KON suh mit
Denotation:
Complete; perfect
Connotation: “the best”
Megan delivered the
consummate farewell
speech to the class of ‘08
during Baccalaureate.
BELIE (trans. verb)
bē - LĪ
Denotation:
To give a false representation to
Connotation: misrepresent;
deceive
He dressed like a
gentleman to belie his
redneck upbringing.
BELLICOSE (adjective)
BEL ĭ kōs
Denotation:
Warlike or hostile in manner
or temperament
Connotation: eager to
fight; aggressive
The nations
exchanged bellicose
rhetoric over the
border dispute.
CHURLISH (adjective)
CHUR lĭsh
Denotation:
Boorish or vulgar; surly
Connotation: rude;
unmannerly
“He is as valiant as
the lion, churlish
as the bear…”
William Shakespeare from Troilus
and Cressida
WEEK 11
Week of November 14
Grammar/Writing Connection
COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE: Two
main clauses and AT LEAST one
dependent/subordinate clause.
SHORT CUT:
Create a compound sentence first, THEN
add at least one dependent/subordinate
clause.
DELETERIOUS (adjective)
DEL i-TIR ē əs
Denotation:
Having a harmful effect
Connotation: injurious;
harmful
I promise mommy not to
do anything
DELETERIOUS or
mischievous to Sally.
DIFFIDENT (adjective)
DIFF-ə-dent
Denotation:
Lacking self-confidence;
timid
Connotation: shy
He was too DIFFIDENT
to ask Sally Mae to
marry him.
EPIPHANY (noun)
ĭ-PIFF-ə-nē
Denotation:
A sudden manifestation of the
essence of meaning of
something
Connotation: a revelation
Joe experienced an
epiphany, a spiritual
flash that would
change the way he
viewed life.
FACETIOUS (adjective)
fə-SĒ shəs
Denotation:
Playfully jocular; humorous
Connotation: joking around
The person’s
facetious sign
amused the
pedestrians.
WEEK 12
No words the week of Thanksgiving Break
Week of November 28
Grammar/Writing Connection
COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE: Two
main clauses and AT LEAST one
dependent/subordinate clause.
SHORT CUT:
Create a compound sentence first, THEN
add at least one dependent/subordinate
clause.
FILIBUSTER (noun)
FILL-ə-BUS-tər
Denotation:
The use of obstructionist
tactics, especially
prolonged
speechmaking, for the
purpose of delaying
legislative action
Connotation: delaying
an action
The senator’s filibuster lasted over 24
hours.
GAUCHE (adjective)
gohsh
Denotation:
Lacking grace or social polish
Connotation: awkward; crude
The t-shirt in the
engagement photo
read, “If I throw a
stick will you leave?”
Many consider such
a photo gauche.
HUBRIS (noun)
HYOO-bris
Denotation:
excessive pride or
self-confidence
Connotation: arrogance;
cocky
The student’s hubris
after the game
offended many of the
fans.
INCOGNITO (adjective or adverb)
IN-kog-NEE-toh
Denotation:
One’s identity disguised or
concealed
Connotation: hidden
The spy traveled
incognito into
enemy territory, for
he was on a covert
mission.
WEEK 13
Week of December 7
Grammar/Writing Connection
COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE: Two
main clauses and AT LEAST one
dependent/subordinate clause.
SHORT CUT:
Create a compound sentence first, THEN
add at least one dependent/subordinate
clause.
INFRASTRUCTURE (noun)
IN-frə-STRUCK-chər
Denotation:
The basic facilities, services, and
installations needed for the
functioning of a community or
society
Connotation: The basic system of
structure of an organization; a
support system
The infrastructure of the
organization quickly
collapsed after the
terrorist attack.
LAISSEZ FAIRE (noun)
LAY-zay-FAIR
Denotation:
Opposes governmental regulation of
or interference in commerce
Connotation: “hands off” in the
affairs of others
People who support a
laissez faire system are
against minimum
wages, duties, and any
other trade restrictions.
LOQUACIOUS (adjective)
lō-kwā'shəs
Denotation:
Very talkative; garrulous
Connotation: motor mouth
The loquacious
beautician always told
stories while cutting the
customers’ hair, but she
always told the same
story.
OBSEQUIOUS (adjective)
ŏb-sē'kwē-əs
Denotation: characterized
by or showing servile
complaisance or
deference; fawning
Connotation: obedient;
submissive
The movie star was
surrounded by a
large group of
obsequious
assistants.
WEEK 14
Week of December 14
Grammar/Writing Connection
COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE: Two
main clauses and AT LEAST one
dependent/subordinate clause.
SHORT CUT:
Create a compound sentence first, THEN
add at least one dependent/subordinate
clause.
NOMENCLATURE (noun)
nō'mən-klā'chər
Denotation:
A system of names used in
an art or science
Connotation: vocabulary for a
discipline (art, music, etc.)
Our biology teacher
explained the rules of
nomenclature for
animals, for he
wanted us to use the
names properly.
Denotation:
OLIGARCHY (noun)
ŏl'ĭ-gär'kē
Government by a few,
especially by a small
faction of persons or
families
Connotation: only a handful
of people operate the
government
The Smiths became the
de facto government;
many citizens feared
this oligarchy.
Denotation:
PARADIGM (noun)
pār'ə-dīm'
A set of assumptions,
concepts, values, and
practices that constitutes
a way of viewing reality
Connotation: the way we
view life
When Seth came home
from college, his family
noticed a major
paradigm shift.
PRECIPITOUS (adjective)
prĭ-sĭp'ĭ-təs
Denotation:
Resembling a precipice
Connotation: extremely steep
The hikers avoided the
trail through the
precipitous areas of
the park.
OMNIPOTENT (adjective)
ŏm-nĭp'ə-tənt
Denotation:
Having unlimited power or
authority
Connotation: all-powerful
Christians consider
God to be
omnipotent.
RECIPROCAL (adjective)
rĭ-sĭp'rə-kəl
Denotation:
Existing, done, or
experienced on both
sides
Connotation: mutual;
“give and take”
The two chess
players showed
reciprocal respect
throughout the
match.
RAZE (verb)
rayz
Denotation:
demolish
Connotation:
tear down
The neighbor
decided to raze
his house and
build a new
one.
QUOTIDIAN (adjective)
kwō-tĭd'ē-ən
Denotation:
common; ordinary
Connotation: routine –
everyday experience;
daily
There’s nothing like a
teacher adding
excitement to a
quotidian day at
school.
SANGUINE (adjective)
sāng'gwĭn
Denotation:
cheerfully confident;
red-colored
Connotation: optimistic
Haggard and red-eyed,
his sanguine mood
was gone.
SUPERCILIOUS (adjective)
sōō'pər-sĭl'ē-əs
Denotation:
showing
haughty disdain
Connotation:
proud;
“snotty”
Mr. Darcy had a
supercilious air
as he talked
with Elizabeth
Bennett.
SUBJUGATE (verb)
sŭb'jə-gāt'
Denotation:
to bring under
control
Connotation:
conquer; defeat
The army’s goal
was to subjugate
the enemy.
TEMPESTUOUS (adjective)
těm-pěs'chōō-əs
Denotation:
tempest; tumultuous
Connotation: stormy
Due to her tempestuous
relationship with
Curtis, Shaneeka’s
parents advised her
not to marry him.
UNCTUOUS (adjective)
ŭngk'chōō-əs
Denotation:
excessively
smooth,
suave
Connotation:
oily; slippery
They marched
through the
unctuous
mud.
USURP (verb)
yōō-sûrp'
Denotation:
To seize and hold
by force without
legal authority
Connotation: to take
over without right
The squatters
usurped the
farmer’s land.
VACUOUS (adjective)
vāk'yōō-əs
Denotation:
Lacking intelligence;
inane
Connotation: stupid
The celebrity interview
yielded a plethora of
vacuous comments.
AMIABLE (adjective)
ā'mē-ə-bəl
Denotation:
Friendly; amicable
Connotation: likable
The teacher seemed
amiable at first,
until she whipped
out a pop quiz.
ANARCHIST (noun)
AN-er-kist
a person who promotes
a revolt against an established
government … with no purpose
of establishing any other
system of order in the place of
that destroyed.
Denotation:
Connotation:
overthrowing a government
Derek pretended to be an
anarchist like his friends,
but he really thought the
student government was
doing a great job.
ARCHETYPAL (adjective)
är'kĭ-tī'pəl
Denotation:
quintessential
Connotation: the ideal
example; perfect
model of something
Barry is the
quintessential
high school boy,
an archetypal jock
who plays three
sports.
CENSURE (verb)
SIN sher
Denotation:
To find fault with and
condemn as wrong
Connotation: blame;
criticize; reprimand
Jake, a vivacious lawyer,
censured the newspaper
editor for her support of
the new tax law.
CULPABLE (adjective)
KUL puh bull
Denotation:
deserving blame
or censure
Connotation: guilty
Jane knew^George was
culpable for eating her
brownie; she spied the
incriminating chocolate
smudges around his
mouth.
GUILTY
DEBILITATING (adjective)
dee BILL uh tay ting
Denotation:
impairing the strength
or energy of; enervate
Connotation: no strength
or vitality
Doug’s fear of public
speaking was so
debilitating that he
couldn’t even practice
in front of his mirror.
DEBUNK (verb)
dee BUNK
Denotation:
to expose the
falseness of
Connotation: to expose
as false
Dr. Thomas
debunked
the anti-aging
agent, resveratrol.
DELINEATE (verb)
de LIN eel ate
Denotation:
to depict; portray
Connotation: to describe; outline with precision
Joey delineated to his parents his plan to
become president of the United States,
although he was born in Afghanistan.
DESPOTISM (noun)
DES puh tizm
Denotation:
dominance through threat of violence
Connotation: absolute power or control; tyranny
Some might say Sarah’s despotism occurs,
because she is insecure.