Transcript Improving Writing Through Word Meanings

IMPROVING
WRITING
THROUGH
WORD
MEANINGS
Denotative vs. Connotative Meaning
Denotative- Connotative Meanings
Words do not mean anything
without the meaning we apply
to them.
In language there are two
types of MEANING we apply
to words.

Denotative- Connotative Meaning
Denotative


The denotation of a
word is its explicit
definition as listed in a
dictionary
Hint: Denotation,
denotative, definition,
and dictionary all start
with the letter ‘D.
Connotative

association or
set of
associations that
a word usually
brings to mind
Denotative- Connotative
The word “home”
 The denotative or literal meaning of “home” is
a place where one lives; a residence
 The connotative meaning of “home” is a place
of security, comfort, and family. When Dorothy
in The Wizard of Oz says, “There’s no place
like home,” she’s not referring to its denotation,
but the emotions “home” evokes for her and
most people.

Denotative- Connotative
Just think as the connotative
meaning as the emotions and
associations you have toward
a word.
What is love?

Connotative and Denotative Meanings
are not used the same in language
The connotative and denotative
meanings of words are both
correct, but a word’s
connotation determines when
it is used.

Denotative- Connotative Words
By definition, synonyms have the same
denotation or literal meaning, but almost
always have different connotations, or
shades of meaning.
 For example, the synonyms of “boat”
include ship, yacht, dinghy, and ferry. All
these words refer to the same thing, but each
elicits a different association in the reader's
mind.

Denotative- Connotative Words


Connotative and denotative vocabulary exercises
test your understanding of how word choice
affects the meaning of what you say and write.
A quiz may ask you to select words or write
sentences that convey positive, neutral, or negative
connotations. For example, notice how the
sentence meaning shifts when the underlined
word is changed:
How does the meaning change?




Positive: Sally was an enthusiastic member her
sorority.
Neutral: Sally was an active member of her
sorority.
Negative: Sally was a fanatical member of her
sorority
THESE ARE THE THREE SHADES OF MEANING of
CONNOTATIVE WORDS.
Why is learning when to use connotative vs.
denotative meaning important?

Always consider a word’s denotation and
connotation if you want to avoid
misinterpretation.
 “political correctness”
The expressiveness of language is revealed
in connotative meanings.
Your reader can truly understand your
writing when you use connotations
correctly.