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Questions and Answers
What does the denotation of a word refer to?
From where does the term 'denotation' originate?
Which term means 'to signify in addition to the main meaning'?
'Quirk' and 'Oddity' have similar __________ but different connotations.
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What contributes to shaping the connotation of a word?
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What is the connotation of the word 'quirk'?
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In the context of the text, what is the connotation of the word 'home'?
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What imagery does the word 'twinklings' evoke in Gwendolyn Brooks' poem 'The Bean Eaters'?
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What does Aunt Polly believe about herself in Mark Twain's excerpt from 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'?
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'Dwelling' is described in the text as having what kind of connotation?
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What does the term 'simple-hearted' mean in the context of Aunt Polly's character?
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How does the connotation of the term 'transparent' contribute to the characterization of Aunt Polly?
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What is the effect of Twain using the term 'simple-hearted' to describe Aunt Polly?
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How do Aunt Polly's beliefs about her own cleverness compare to the reality portrayed in the text?
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Why does the author use the term 'transparent' to describe Aunt Polly's motives?
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Study Notes
Connotation and Denotation
- Connotation and denotation are two ways of looking at the same word, with different meanings and implications.
- Denotation refers to the literal or dictionary definition of a word.
- Connotation refers to the emotion or feeling evoked by a word, which is not necessarily part of its literal meaning.
Denotation
- Denotation comes from the Latin "denotationem", meaning to note or make a note.
- It refers to the literal meaning of a word as found in a dictionary.
- Examples of denotation include:
- Quirk: a peculiar trait
- Oddity: an odd person, thing, event, or trait
- Dwelling: a shelter (such as a house) in which people live
- Home: one's place of residence
Connotation
- Connotation comes from the Latin "connotationem", meaning to "signify in addition to the main meaning".
- It refers to the underlying emotion or feeling associated with a word that is not part of its literal definition.
- Examples of connotation include:
- Quirk: a positive connotation, implying a cute or socially acceptable trait
- Oddity: a negative connotation, implying a less socially acceptable trait
- Dwelling: a neutral or slightly negative connotation, implying a structure without warmth or attachment
- Home: a positive connotation, implying a warm, cozy environment
Examples in Literature
- Diction (word choice) is a key tool in a writer's toolbox for conveying meaning.
- Examples of connotation and denotation in literature include:
- Gwendolyn Brooks' poem "The Bean Eaters", where the word "twinklings" has a positive connotation, evoking images of nostalgia and magic.
- Mark Twain's novel "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer", where the term "simple-hearted" has a kind connotation, implying Aunt Polly's character is kind but not particularly bright.
- In the same novel, the word "transparent" has a connotation of failure to keep something hidden, reinforcing the concept that Aunt Polly is not a match for Tom.
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Description
Learn about the concepts of connotation and denotation, which involve the emotional and literal meanings of words. Explore how these two aspects shape our interpretation of language and communication.
