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Denotation, Connotation, & Euphemism

Define denotation: ________________________________________________________________________

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Denotation of summer is: ___________________________________________________________________

Define connotation: _______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Conotation of summer is: ___________________________________________________________________

I. Read each pair of words below

Put a CIRCLE around the word with positive connotations

UNDERLINE the word with negative connotations

Do NOTHING to the word that is neutral

1. fragrance, odor, a smell sensed by the nose

2. delayed, not on time, tardy

3. somewhat interested, nosy, curious

4. ask of someone, demand, request

5. discuss with others, debate, argue

6. observe, watch, spy

7. a young age, youthful, immature

8. carefree, not having a care, irresponsible

9. unique, not commonly found, strange

10. inexpensive, fairly priced, cheap

11. assertive, firmly confident, proud

II. Describe the same object both favorably and unfavorably. You can do this by first using words with a positive connotation and then switching to words with a negative connotation.

Choose three of the descriptions below. Write a short description that is favorable and a short description that is unfavorable.

Favorable (positive) example: The light from the sun was dazzling.

Unfavorable (negative) example: The light from the sun was blinding.

• Describe a wet street after the rain.

• Describe a class.

• Describe a hamburger made in a fast-food restaurant.

• Describe a group of kids walking down the street together.

• Describe a new school rule.

• Describe a recent movie or television program.

1. (F)____________________________________________________________________________________

(UF)______________________________________________________________________________________

2. (F)____________________________________________________________________________________

(UF)______________________________________________________________________________________

3. (F)____________________________________________________________________________________

(UF)______________________________________________________________________________________

III. For each condition below, write a synonym of the word that has positive connotations and one that has negative connotations.

Example: Condition = Focused

Positive connotation = motivated

Negative connotation = obsessed

Condition Positive Connotation Negative Connotation

1. hot __________________________ __________________________

2. cold __________________________ __________________________

3. young __________________________ __________________________

4. self-focused __________________________ __________________________

5. talkative __________________________ __________________________

6. old __________________________ __________________________

IV. Pretend you have to sell a soft drink that’s full of sugar, to a group of parents who don’t let their kids drink anything but water and milk. What words might you use to describe the drink, so that parents think more positively about it?

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V. The expressions in italics are euphemisms. What do they probably mean?

1. She was less favored by beauty than her sister

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2. Someone borrowed money from my locker without asking me.

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3. I just bought a pre‐owned car yesterday.

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4. I just won a lunch reservation from Mr. Simon.

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5. I got in a bit of trouble for stretching the truth about the broken lamp.

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6. Where do I work? Actually, I’m between jobs at the moment.

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7. Now that I’m getting up there in years I don’t like birthdays so much.

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8. Eric’s cooking skills leave plenty of room for improvement.

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Based on the above exercise, how would you define a euphemism? ____________________________________________________________________________

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