Denotation and Connotation

Objectives
Student will be able to:
  • analyze and explain the importance of subtle differences in meaning between synonyms in order to understand word choice in a text.
  • distinguish between the denotative and connotative meanings of words in text.
  • analyze the cumulative impact of connotative meaning on a passage's meaning and tone.

Introduction
A word's dictionary definition is its denotative meaning. In a group of synonyms, however, similar words may carry very different connotative meanings. For example, strolling, hurrying, and racing may be ways to walk down a street. The images they conjure in a reader's mind, though, are very different. In this way a word may carry a positive or negative connotative meaning.


Exercises
Read this adapted excerpt from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Then answer the questions that follow.

Identify each of the words below as carrying a Positive, Negative, or Neutral connotation within the excerpt.
1.
antiquity
 
 
negative
1.
 

2.
only
 
 
neutral
2.
 

3.
disagreeable
 
 
negative
3.
 

Replace each of the words from the passage with a synonym that carries a negative connotation. Be sure that your choice of words does not alter the meaning of the sentence or excerpt.
4.
clutter
 
 

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:

  • mess 
  • filth 
  • contamination
4.
 

5.
damp
 
 

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:

  • moist 
  • dank 
  • wet
5.
 

6.
disagreeable
 
 

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:

  • offensive 
  • foul 
  • disgusting
6.
 

7.

Replace the underlined word with a synonym that carries a postitive connotation.

A gentle wind came in through the open window.
 

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:

  • A gentle wind breezed in through the open window.
  • A gentle wind drifted in through the open window.
  • A gentle wind trickled in through the open window.
7.
 


8.

Replace the underlined word with a synonym that carries a postitive connotation.

The uplifting odor of roses filled the main room of the cottage.
 

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:

  • The uplifting scent of roses filled the main room of the cottage.
  • The uplifting perfume of roses filled the main room of the cottage.
  • The uplifting smell of roses filled the main room of the cottage.

 

8.
 

9.

Replace the underlined word with a synonym that carries a negative connotation.

I noted the solitude of the little cottage.
 

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:

  • I noted the lonliness of the little cottage.
  • I noted the isolation of the little cottage.
  • I noted the seclusion of the little cottage.

 

9.
 

10.

Replace the underlined word with a synonym that carries a negative connotation.

The neighborhood cat wandered into the cottage and looked at me.
 

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:

  • The neighborhood cat wandered into the cottage and glowered at me.
  • The neighborhood cat wandered into the cottage and glared at me.
  • The neighborhood cat wandered into the cottage and scowled at me.
10.
 

Exhibit Preview Close

     The mildewy inside of the coach, with its damp and dirty straw, its disagreeable smell, and its antiquity, was rather like a larger dog–kennel. Mr. Lorry, the only passenger, shaking himself out of the clutter in chains of straw, a flapping hat, and muddy legs, was rather like a larger sort of dog.


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