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Learning Targets:
I can compare figurative meaning vs. literal meaning within a text.
I can compare the connotation of a word vs. the denotation of a word.
I can infer the tone of a text based on the author’s diction, or specific word choice.
Literal language: means exactly what it says. It actually happened.
People can literally drown in their own body fluids. (Scientific American)
"We literally had fish guts running through the parking lot," he says. (Forbes)
Figurative language: means it’s imaginary. It is more metaphorical. It's used when you mean something didn't
really happen. Figurative language uses similes, metaphors, hyperboles, personification and other literary
devices to describe something.
Besides, figuratively speaking, they are still in the same boat. (Mayne Reid)
So Josh—as he figuratively put it—had not a feather to fly with. (Burford Delannoy)
WRONG: That guitar solo literally made my head explode.
Literal or Figurative
1.
That test was a piece of cake.
2.
I’m tired and I’m going home to nap.
3.
She is the apple of my eye.
4.
The sand feels rough.
5.
He's like a typhoon in the house.
6.
I’ve got a sweet tooth.
7.
My tooth aches.
8.
You’re like a fish out of water.
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Denotation: The specific, exact and concrete meaning of a word. This is the meaning you would find in a
dictionary.
Mother definition: female parent
Connotation: The attitudes, feelings and emotions aroused by a word. (Positive AND Negative)
Mother
Attitude: positive
Feelings: love and respect
Emotions: security and warmth
“Mommy”
all of the above, plus
Extra connotations of familiarity and childhood
Same Denotation, Different Connotation
Two words can have the same definition while carrying different emotional content. One word may be cruel or
insulting while another word might be neutral or positive.
Example:
The fact is: George likes to save money when shopping.
Aunt Myrna says, “He’s thrifty.”
Aunt Willa says, “He’s stingy.”
Both of these words refer to saving money, but they have different connotations. “Thrifty” suggests that George
is smart and knows how to find bargains. “Stingy” depicts George as greedy and lacking generosity.
Example:
The fact is: George has a son and two daughters.
Aunt Myrna says, “George has three children.”
Aunt Willa says, “George has three brats.”
Categorize
Positive
1.
House, dump, home
2.
Exotic, foreign, strange
3.
Babble, talk, chat
4.
Dinner, feast, slop
5.
Fragrance, stench, smell
6.
Venerable, old, decrepit
Neutral
Negative