Connotations and ToneMs. Jordan

Denotation vs. Connotation

• Denotation is the dictionary or literal meaning of a word.

• Connotative words create suggestions and evoke emotions in the reader’s mind.

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Denotation = Dictionary Definition

If you want to know what a word means – look it up in the dictionary…. book version or online version. That’s simple!

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Word Choice Creates and Connotative Effect

Notice the difference…• I love him to the depths of my soul.• I’m really crazy about him.Which one evokes more emotion?

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Words Chosen by an Author Can Trick the Reader Into Feeling

Authors choose specific words for a purpose.

Also, the author knows the reader is often unaware of this, which makes it even more effective.

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Emotional Impact

Author’s words create connotations

Connotations creates tone

Connotations and tone create emotion

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Author’s Tone

Tone is the author’s attitude toward a subject.

An author’s tone is implied. The reader must infer.

The reader must “read between the lines” to infer author’s tone.Ms. Jordan

Examples of Author’s Tone

Through words the author may show the reader that she is…

… depressed, cynical, angry, outraged, sympathetic, positive, sentimental, ironic, vengeful, intense, religious, etc.

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More Examples of Tone

• Solemn• Serious• Objective• Personal• Disapproving • Violent• Hostile• Affectionate

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Often an author’s tone influences the mood and atmosphere of the plot.

An author’s tone Mood or atmosphereMs. Jordan

Example of Tone-Mood Connection

An author writes a horror novel using a serious and sinister tone.

The tone helps to create a scary atmosphere and a frightened and nervous mood for the reader.

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Example Two of Tone-Mood Connection

An author writes a satire using a playful and sarcastic tone.

The tone helps to create a humorous mood for the reader.

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Connotation, denotation, emotion, and tone all have an influence on the characterization.

• What kind of person would say certain things?.• How would certain people react differently to

certain words or phrases?

Word Choice and Characterization

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Impact on our Reading

Question an author’s choice of words!Authors choose specific words for a

reason.How do words affect the tone, plot,

mood, characters and you as a reader?

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The Next Time You Read a Passage

… try to analyze the word choice so you can infer the author’s tone. It will help you to “get the message” of the text.

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