Words Have Feelings
(Denotation and Connotation)
(Denotation and Connotation)
What is the denotation of a word?
The dictionary definition or literal meaning of a word
What is Diction?
The author's word choice
What is tone?
The author's attitude toward the subject or audience.
What is the theme of a story or poem?
the underlying message or insight about life
What is the central idea of a text?
the main point or message the author wants to communicate.
The words stroll and trudge both mean "to walk," but what do they differ in?
Their connotation
Stroll: pleasant
Trudge: tiring or negative
What is Syntax?
The arrangement or structure of words and phrases in a sentence.
(sentence structure)
What is mood?
the feeling the reader gets from the text
What is imagery?
Language that appeals to the five senses.
What is one text feature that helps a reader find the central idea?
Headings, subheadings, bold words, charts, or footnotes
Which of these words has the most negative connotation: House, Hut, or Shack?
Shack
If a writer uses short, choppy sentences, what mood or tone might they create?
tension, urgency, or fear.
Identify the tone and genre:
"I'm so sorry," said the woman, "I can't understand what you're saying, and I think it's because you're an elephant."
Genre: Magical Realism
In poetry, what is rhyme scheme and how is it shown?
the pattern of end rhymes, labeled with letters (ABAB, AABB, etc.)
If a text is organized as "Myth --> Fact," what structure is being used?
Claim/ Counterclaim
or
Problem/ Solution
How does "childlike" differ from "childish"?
How can exclamation points and ellipses influence tone?
exclamation points can make the tone excited or angry;
ellipses can create hesitation or thoughtfulness
"The piano began to play itself again, softly this time, as if tired of applause."
What is the tone? Why?
The personification of the piano gives a weary, reflective feeling.
Gentle syntax, and "softly" reinforce the tone.
Identify the implicit theme:
"the candle guttered, spilling wax like tears,
yet still the flame refused to die."
Perseverance, or hope in the face of hardship.
In an interview format, how does the structure help the reader?
It makes ideas clear through question-and-answer organization.
Two writers describe the same scene:
A: "The child's laugh rang through the air"
B: The child's shriek split the air."
What is the tone of each? Why?
A: Tone is positive, joy and warmth ("rang" has a positive, musical connotation)
B: Tone is annoyance and fear ("shriek" has a negative, fearful connotation)
DAILY DOUBLE!
WRITE: Rewrite this sentence to change the tone from neutral to suspenseful:
"She walked into the room."
Example: "She crept into the darkened room, each step echoing louder than the last."
How do diction and syntax work together to establish tone in Magical Realism?
Simple neutral diction and calm syntax contrast with fantastic or surreal events, creating an "unimpressed" or matter-of-fact tone.
How can a poem's form (like rhyme and meter) reinforce its theme?
Repetition and rhythm can mirror emotions or ideas. For example: steady meter for control, irregular rhythm for chaos.
How can you tell if a detail supports the central idea instead of being irrelevant?
It directly connects back to the main point or claim - not a random fact or side story.