Middletown High School
Denotation vs. ConnotationFirst define the two words…1. denotation-2. connotation-For example, both cultivated and highbrow mean “cultured.” However, cultivated has a positive connotation while highbrow has a negative connotation of someone being snobbish.Syrupy means sweet. (denotation) Syrupy has the negative connotation of being overly sweet. Nancy did not trust the girl’s syrupy compliments.Solicitous means showing care or concern. (denotation) Solicitous has the negative connotation of behavior that is too concerned or overdone.That morning I tried to avoid running into my ever-smiling, solicitous neighbor.Authors choose their words in such a way to get across a certain TONE about their subjects.3. Tone-So… which would you rather? Circle your choice from the two bolded terms based on their connotation and then explain why in terms of the tone that comes across with each word.Would you rather be called nerdy or studious?Would Mrs. Myers rather be called older or antiquated?Would you rather someone say today’s lunch has a certain smell or odor?Would MHS football want to go into Friday night’s game with people thinking they are cocky or confident?Would you rather be called thin or scrawny if you had trouble putting on weight?A) In the pairings on the other side, there was one word that had a more negative connotation than another which made you choose the word that wouldn’t make the situation seem so bad. Now look at the excerpts from Of Mice and Men and tell me what you can infer about Steinbeck’s tone. “Oh!” She put her hands behind her back and leaned against the door frame so that her body was thrown forward. “You’re the new fellas that just come, ain’t ya?”“Yeah.”Lennie’s eyes moved down over her body, and though she did not seem to be looking at Lennie she bridled a little. She looked at her fingernails. “Sometimes Curley’s in here,” she explained.George said brusquely, “Well he ain’t now.” “If he ain’t, I guess I better look some place else,” she said playfully.Lennie watcher her, fascinated. George said, “If I see him, I’ll pass the word you was looking for him.”She smiled archly and twitched her body. “Nobody can’t blame a person for lookin’,” she said. (Steinbeck 31)What is Steinbeck’s tone towards Curley’s wife?Underline or highlight any words that helped you come to that conclusion.B) Steinbeck’s tone towards Slim is one of respect or reverence because he uses words with very positive connotations.Underline any words that would have to be changed in order to change the tone to one of disrespect or irreverence. Write a word/phrase with a more negative connotation to replace each underlined word/phrase which will then paint a NEW picture of Slim. When he had finished combing his hair he moved into the room, and he moved with a majesty only achieved by royalty and master craftsmen.His authority was so great that his word was taken on any subject, be it politics or love.His hands, large and lean, were as delicate in their action as those of a temple dancer.There was a gravity in his manner and a quiet so profound that all talk stopped when he spoke. ................
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