Essential Question: How does understanding Shades of Meaning and Positive and

Negative Connotations help me to be a better reader and writer?

Objective: Distinguish among the meanings/connotations of words with similar denotations.

Shades of Meaning&

Positive & Negative Connotations

A SKILLFULL reader also makes the most of every word he/she reads

by noticing fine differences-even in words which have similar meanings.

For example, a good reader is able to see the differences among words such as:

slim, trim, frail, and skinny.

Identify Synonyms for the Basic Color Words

Strong word choice is like selecting just the right shade of a word. What is the difference between an 8 count crayon box and a 24- or 64-count crayon box?.To be a better writer, you must stop using blue when you know midnight, turquoise, and baby

blue.To help foster this idea, Wilbur Wright Elementary teacher Clara Green (New Castle, IN) created a class color thesaurus for her writers. She banished the basic colors from their writers’ vocabulary. No longer could students refer to blue skies, or green grass, or red lipstick. She had them identifying PRECISELY THE COLOR they wanted by using her crayon thesaurus.

When a reader sees two words that actually mean the same thing… but the reader feels badly about one term and okay about the other …even though they are essentially the same… it is called…?

What do you call words that appear to be synonyms but are not exactly the same? The slight differences in definitions each has is called...

Negative & Positive Connotations

What is “Shades of Meaning”

Denotation•A word’s denotation is its literal meaning- that is, the meaning found in a dictionary definition.

Connotation• A word’s connotation is the shades of meaning it may take on beyond its

dictionary definition.• It includes all the thoughts and feelings the word may bring to people’s minds. • For example:

the vocabulary word smirk does mean “smile.”

BUT smirk also carries NEGATIVE connotations of smugness or conceitedness.

In “The School Play” by Gary Soto After Robert giggled behind his red beard, Belinda popped her gum

and smirked. She stood with her hands on her hips.

Words are not limited to one single meaning. Most words have multiple meanings, which are categorized as either denotative

or connotative. The denotation of a word is its explicit definition as listed in a dictionary. Let’s use the word “home” as an example. The denotative or literal meaning of “home” is “ a place where one lives; a

residence.”

Hint: Denotation, denotative, definition, and dictionary all start with the letter D.

The expressiveness of language, however, comes from the other type of word

meaning—connotation, or the association or set of associations that a word usually brings to mind .

(the feelings connected to a word). 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.

Example

• The vocabulary word assert means “to put into words with confidence, “ but it carries a positive connotation of directness or support. (The citizen asserted that she had the right to vote.)• Argue also means “to put into words with confidence, “ but it usually carries a

negative connotation of conflict. (He argued tat it was a foolish thing to do.)

Decide which word in each pair has a positive connotation.

• 1. quaint/strange• 2. stench/aroma• 3. colorful/ gaudy• 4. slender/skinny• 5. fussy/careful• 6.energetic/wild

Think about the denotative meanings of each word.Decide which of the two words you think has a negative connotation.Pair up with a peer.Be prepared to use it in a sentence to show the negative meaning.

• 1. a (serious, dull) speech• 2. her (funny, ridiculous) hat• 3. (obsessed, enthusiastic) about the project• 4. a (youthful, childish) outlook• 5. (impatient, eager) to get started• 6. a (tangy, bitter) tasteEach member should be prepared to SHARE your finding with the class.

Shades of Meaning

ecstatic

elated

jubilant

overjoyed

happy

glad

content

content ecstatic jubilant happy overjoyed glad elated

Shades of Meaning

ecstatic

elated

jubilant

overjoyed

happy

glad

content

content ecstatic jubilant happy overjoyed glad elated

gladcontenthappyjubilantoverjoye

delated ecstatic

cheap

fat

spastic

used

trailer

Negative & Positive Connotations

Shades of Meaning

inexpensive

plump

enthusiastic

previously-owned

mobile home