word choice, diction, connotation 1C & 1D

    Denotation and Connotation (5.1) Formal vs. Informal Language -Slang and Idioms (5.2) Effect of Word Choice- Diction (5.3) Purpose of Word Choice- Author’s Purpose (5.4)

 

Denotation

is the

literal

meaning of a word.

or dictionary

Connotation

is the idea or implied by a word in addition to its literal meaning.

feeling

◦ An author chooses his words very carefully to achieve a desired purpose .

~ Denotation they both mean

of

or

like

a child or childhood ~ Connotation childlike: having innocent, trusting characteristics of a child (positive connotation) childish: being immature (negative connotation) TIP ~ think of the negative and positive connotation of some words

 ◦ ◦ Consider the following sentences.

I heard my brother talking on the phone with his girlfriend.

I heard my brother chatting on the phone with his girlfriend.

How does the connotation of the word chatting in the second sentence convey the author’s purpose?

HINT: What does the author what you to feel about the conversation?

* Practice 134 & 135

 Formal Language speeches, reports, essays, and most other nonfiction writing.

- language usually used in  Informal Language may include slang - everyday language that or idioms .

 Formal greeting  Informal greeting  Neutral or slightly informal  Hello, Mr. Smith. How are you today?

 Dude. Sup?

 Hey! How’s it going?

  Slang - very informal words or expressions, such as and

yakking you rock

! ,

bad

meaning

good

,

ain’t

, ◦ Idioms - informal expressions or phrases that can’t be taken literally, such as “head over heels in love.” This is also a type of figurative language.

*Practice 136 & 137

  Is an author’s author’s use choice of words of those words.

◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ An author’s diction could be Formal or informal Technical or non-technical Descriptive or general Humorous or serious Positive or negative Optimistic or pessimistic and the

      Tedious Hate Waiting Disregard Forget Aggravating       Exciting Love Anticipating Appreciate Realize Relaxing PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT ** 138-142

  A writer’s reason for writing; can include reasons for using words and phrases .

An author always has a general reason for writing, such as to explain, to entertain, to inform, etc., but an author also has a reason for using specific titles .

words, phrases , or even ◦ Ask yourself, “What does the author want me to understand by including a specific word, phrase or title?” Practice 143-145

   By including the phrase “intensity and excitement,” what does the author want to express to the reader?

Does the author use the phrase

mission

paragraph?

sent on a

support the purpose of the What does the author emphasize by selecting the title, “Tennessee Williams, Mississippi’s Playwright”?

    What effect does replacing the italicized words with the word paragraph?

concerns

have on this What effect did replacing the italicized words have on the revised paragraph?

How does the diction in the revised excerpt affect the author’s purpose?

How does the diction in the revised paragraph support the author’s purpose?

        Formal, emotional, descriptive, emphatic Omit, distract, non-essential, concise, distract, emphasize Vivid, image, clarifies, reinforces, isolated Anxious, intensity Uncertainty, theme General, objective, descriptive Contradicts, minimizes, irritation, motive Restrictions, competitive