Analyzing Positive and Negative Messages

Analyzing Messages Conveyed in a Text

• Objectives:
  • Identify if a message is positive or negative at the sentence or paragraph level.
  • Identify figurative language used in a message.
  • Recognize signal words/expressions used to convey positive or negative messages.
  • Classify statements as literally or figuratively expressed positive or negative messages.
  • Write a reflective essay on a topic by expressing a positive or negative message.

Language Categories

• Language is divided into two categories: literal and figurative.
• Literal: fully expressed with clarity, positive and negative messages can be identified through explicit markers (words/phrases/expressions).

Positive Signal Words/Phrases/Expressions

• Examples: grateful, appreciate, thanks! (When expressing gratitude)
• Examples: admire, brilliant, amaze, splendid, excellent, awesome, wow!, good!, great! (When expressing motivational/encouraging/constructive remarks)
• Examples: well-done!, congratulations! (When giving congratulatory remarks)
• Examples: accept, sympathize, in favor, yes!, correct! (When expressing agreement)
• Examples: welcome, hi!, hello!, best wishes!, good morning! (When giving greetings/well-wishes)
• Examples: fortunate, glad, plenty (When expressing happiness/blessedness)

Negative Signal Words/Phrases/Expressions

• Examples: none, never, neither, no one, no way, nobody, nowhere (When expressing negation/negative expression)
• Examples: No, Not, Un, Im, In, Mis, Dis (Prefixes used to express negative meaning in words)
• Examples: Disgust, offend, dismay, shock (When expressing disappointment)

Mathematical Rules

• (+) + (+) = (+)
• (+) + (-) = (-)
• (-) + (+) = (-)
• (-) + (-) = (-)
• Multiplication can be used to determine the positivity/negativity of a message.

Conjunctive Adverbs/Word Connectors

• Use for comparison/contrast; helps to recognize whether a message is positive or negative.
  • Contrast: Unlike, though, whereas, however, on the contrary, on the other hand
  • Compare: As, like, also, alike, just like, equally, likewise, same as, similar
  • Contrast: While, instead, in contrast

Figurative Language

• Positive and negative messages can be implicit in a text. This is different from identifying positive/negative messages using signal words; it requires deeper understanding and processing.

Hyperbole

• Exaggeration or overstatement to emphasize a point.
• Positive: Laura reads Florante's letter a million times everyday. I can wait forever just for you.
• Negative: I'm so sad that I'm drowning in tears. He is very hungry that he could eat a horse.

Simile

• Comparison of two different things using "as" and "like."
• Positive: Norman is like a walking dictionary; he moves as swiftly as the wind.
• Negative: Michelle's love is like the sun that lights up my whole world; education is as valuable as gold.

Metaphor

• Direct comparison of two different things, eliminating "as" and "like."
• Positive: Norman is a walking dictionary; You are the apple of my eye.
• Negative: Michelle's love is the sun that lights up my whole world; Education is gold.

Euphemism

• Mild/indirect expressions that replace crude/unpleasant words.
• Offensive/unpleasant words: lockdown, prison, disabled person
• Euphemisms: Community quarantine, correctional facility, person with disability

Other Examples of Euphemisms

• Overweight: big boned
• Bald: thin on top
• Die: Pass away, Senior/mature, well-off
• Old: Senior/mature
• Split: Divorce; economically challenged/low-budget
• Poor: Economically challenged/low-budget
• Janitor: Maintenance worker
• Torture: Enhanced interrogation
• Secretary: personal assistant
• Homeless: on the streets
• Pre-owned: secondhand
• Tax increase: revenue enhancement

Other Examples of Euphemisms

• Money lending: Financial Assistance
• Lavatory cleaner: Sanitary man
• Servant in the home: Domestic

Sarcasm

• Used to annoy/mock, negative messages hidden in positive expressions. Humor is best when spoken; difficult to identify in written text.
• Positive: (for jokes, but not humiliation)
• Negative: I love waiting forever for the doctor to arrive; I don't have all day watching your performance.

Proverb

• Old, familiar sayings that give advice and contain morals.
• Positive: There's a rainbow always after the rain; Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; Don't cry over spilled milk; A bird in hand is better than two in the bush.

Idiom

• Phrase/expression with a different meaning than individual words. Meaning depends on context/location.
• Idioms: Break a leg, hit the sack, miss the boat, best of both worlds, once in a blue moon, beat around the bush
• Meanings: Good luck, go to bed, miss a chance, have advantages, rarely, avoid main topic

Idiom Examples (cont'd)

• Bring home the bacon: Be successful; Make a long story short: come to the point; Give the benefit of a doubt: believe someone without proof; Butterflies in my stomach: feeling nervous; Go the extra mile: make an extra effort.

This quiz focuses on understanding how to analyze messages conveyed in texts, specifically identifying if the sentiment is positive or negative. You will learn to recognize figurative language and signal words that indicate emotional tones. Reflective writing exercises will enhance your ability to express sentiments effectively.